'I have evidence of corrupt practices against chairman of EFCC, Bawa' - Gov Matawalle

The Zamfara state governor, Bello Matawalle has accused the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Malam Abdulrasheed Bawa, of being corrupt.

Bello made this known via a press statement on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

According to Bello, he and some eminent Nigerians have evidence to prove Bawa’s corrupt practices and abuse of office.

He said: "In furtherance of my desire to engender a broad-based investigation and an enlargement of the fight against corruption, I will also demand that Abdulrasheed Bawa excuse himself and surrender himself for investigation, as I and some eminent Nigerians have evidence of corrupt practices, breach of public trust and abuse of office against him and the commission led by him.

“Importantly, he needs to come clean with Nigerians on the way and manner he has prosecuted the anti-corruption fight.

“He needs to explain among others how seized assets by the EFCC are being sold without adherence to due process.

“He should explain, for instance, how he has assumed the role of the plaintiff, prosecutor and jury and how he has executed his brand of plea bargaining with suspected criminals and saboteurs of the Nigerian economy and agenda who instead of being put on trial, are walking freely all over Nigeria.

“It is when the EFCC Chair does this and becomes open, non-selective and all-embracing with his invitation, that will we take him seriously.

“It is only then will serious-minded officers who have served the people selflessly and meritoriously and are not opposed to an examination of their books, and indeed Nigerians generally take him seriously.

“Without this, it is just a case of another person in government who has some explaining to do himself over allegations of corruption, high-handedness and abuse of office now asking others to account, by so doing, merely giving Nigerians a comic relief from the present challenging times they are experiencing.”