Nigerian Govt Inaugurates First Board of Anti-graft Agency In Six Years

By John Ikani

The Nigerian Government on Thursday inaugurated the Abdulrasheed Bawa-led Governing Board of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In June 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari had constituted the EFCC board — the anti-graft agency had been without a board since 2015 when the present administration came into power.

The Senate had on the October 5, 2021 confirmed the nominations of Secretary of the Commission and Board Members of the EFCC as sent by President Buhari in accordance with the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, hence the reason for the inauguration.

Inaugurating the board on Thursday in Abuja, Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha said the action will help expedite the execution of the statutory functions of the EFCC.

The SGF, who charged the appointees to ensure the elimination of financial crimes, said “You are, however, required to put in your best to combat financial and economic crimes in the country.

“The Commission is empowered to prevent, investigate, prosecute and penalise economic and financial crimes and is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the provisions of other laws and regulations relating to economic and financial crimes, as well as fight terrorism.

“Let me reiterate the fact that Governing Boards are creations of the enabling statutes of the various institutions, with the main responsibility for giving policy direction to Management, in order to contribute towards the developmental goals of Government.

“This presupposes that the Management should be allowed to execute its day-to-day activities without undue interference by the Boards.

“I, therefore, expect that all hands will be on deck to generate robust policy initiatives that will help this administration achieve its fight against corruption and revamp the economy.

“Similarly, in carrying out your responsibility as Board Members, you must also eschew corruption totally as Government will not hesitate to sanction all infractions”.

The Executive Chairman of the board is AbdulRasheed Bawa, while Mr George Abang Ekpungu will serve as Secretary.

Other members of the board present at the inauguration included, Luqman Muhammad, Anumba Adaeze, Kola Raheem Adesina, and Yahaya Muhammad.

Institutional Representatives on the board include Haruna Nuhu Koko – of the Department of State Services, Reginald Chukwudi Karawusa of the Security and Exchange Commission, Pius Agboola of the National Insurance Commission, Salisu Abdu of the Nigeria Communication Commission and Nwakaego Celine Nwajei of the Nigerian Postal Service.

Others are Justine B. Nidiya of the Corporate Affairs Commission, U.G Mohammed of the Nigeria Custom Service, Muhammed Aminu Muhammed of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Umar Maman Sanda of the Nigeria Police Force, Emmanuel Andrew Naman – of the National Intelligence Agency, Ibrahim Abdul of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Gabriel Christopher of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Adamu Shaibu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jeremiah Abue of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Galadima Yusufari Gana – of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation and an unnamed representative of the Ministry of Justice.