The Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has denied been related to the new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, .
AGF Malami, in an exclusive interview with Daily Trust (not Page 36), reportedly said that contrary to the reports that he singlehandedly picked Bawa to be the Chairman of the EFFC, 4 names were submitted to the President for consideration, and Bawa was subsequently picked.
His exact words: “I am happy that most of the comments made are not on his capacity, intelligence, competence, and associated ability to deliver. His capacity to deliver was never questioned across the nation.
“The question is whether justice has been served, whether public interest has been served, having the Chairman appointed with a particular regard to his capacity and ability to deliver.
“My answer is yes. He has the capacity, ability, and institutional history of the institution to do justice, by way of bringing about added value.”
Speaking further, he denied being related to the EFCC Chairman, saying that, having headed 3 Operational Divisions of the Commission, Bawa’s credentials made him to be selected among the names forwarded to the President.
AGF Malami noted that Bawa “has held various authorities, inclusive of serving in various Divisions as the Head of Operations, including Port Harcourt, Lagos, and Ibadan, which are adjudged to be the high point”.
He went on to say that since the law governing the operations of the EFCC has not been altered, the allegation that Bawa’s appointment would subvert some of the functions of commission, is baseless.