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EFCC acting chairman promoted to Level 14 ahead of Senate screening

Published

4 years ago

February 20, 2021

…Lawyer sues Senate, asks court to stop Bawa’s confirmation

The new acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has been promoted to the rank of Chief Detective Superintendent ahead of his Senate screening.

The move comes amid a lawsuit challenging Bawa’s qualification for the job.

Section 2 of the EFCC Act states that a person who will be appointed as chairman of the commission must have at least 15 years experience and must be the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police or its equivalent.

Bawa, who was appointed by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on February 16, 2021, was on Grade Level 13 and a Deputy Chief Detective Superintendent.

A lawyer, Osuagwu Ugochukwu, subsequently filed a suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop the Senate confirmation of Bawa.

However, it was learnt that on Friday, Bawa and his course mates were given letters of promotion with immediate effect.

A top source in the EFCC told The PUNCH that with the new promotion, Bawa is now qualified to take on the new job

The source, who wished to remain anonymous, said Bawa and his mates who are part of the pioneer Course 1 of the EFCC Cadet Officers were supposed to have been promoted over a year ago but their promotions were being delayed by the police-led leadership of the commission.

He said, “Bawa and his course mates have been promoted to Level 14. Hopefully, this will put to rest the controversy surrounding his eligibility for the role of EFCC chairman. I agree that the promotion should have been effected before his appointment was announced as this would have prevented unnecessary controversies.

“The truth is that he has been overdue for promotion.”

Meanwhile, it was learnt on Saturday that the Presidency was seeking to appoint a new secretary of the commission to replace Mr Ola Olukoyede who is still on suspension.

Our correspondent was informed that a member of the Justice Ayo Salami-led panel was one of the persons being considered for the appointment of secretary of the commission which is a key appointment.

Among other powers, the EFCC secretary is in charge of the administration of the commission. He is also in charge of auctioning recovered assets.

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Opeifa request for the state government to assist the Railway Police and Otti, thanks Tinubu for picking the best material to rewrite Nigeria Railway history

Published

2 days ago

April 18, 2025

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Gov. Otti describes Opeifa as a thorough-bred professional ready to rewrite Nigeria Railway history
Lauds President Tinubu for picking the best material to reposition Nigeria’s oldest corporation

A deserving commendation came the way of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, as the Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, described him as an exceptional professional, most suitable to lead the Nigeria’s oldest surviving public corporation.

Governor Otti spoke on Wednesday, at the Government House in Abia State, during a business visit by the MD/CEO of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, as part of his familiarization tour of the Eastern District of the Corporation.

According to Governor Otti: “I have had so many engagements with past leaders of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, you are clearly different and knows the job”. He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Dr. Opeifa to lead the Nigerian Railway Corporation, expressing assurance at his ability to deliver.

He thanked the MD/CEO for promising to synergize with the Federal Ministry of Transportation, and the State Government to see that the transformation of the transportation system in Umuahia is achieved. According to the Governor, “Umuahia Bus terminal is progressing rapidly and we felt that it is important to replicate what we have in Paignton, United Kingdom in Umuahia, by linking the train station with the Terminal to enhance intermodal transportation services.

The Governor stated that he was very happy to see that the MD/CEO is committed to taking the track from Aba to Enugu and even beyond. He recalled, with nostalgia how the train had served the people of the state and regretted the downward trends of rain services across the entire South East.

On the MD/CEO’s request for the state government to assist the Railway Police in the state, Governor Otti promised that his government will provide mobility for Aba Railway Police.

He added that the state government is always ready to support the Federal Government institutions as users of such federal institutions are people of the state, adding that his administration cannot differentiate between federal and state government workers.

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Airlin Advocacy Commissions Jos Office, Targets 7m Members By Next Elections,Says Mohammed Gamawa

Published

4 days ago

April 16, 2025

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During the inauguration ceremony, the National Chairman of Airlin, Mohammed Gamawa, delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to educating Nigerians on their civic rights and responsibilities.

According to Gamawa, Airlin aims to bridge the gap between citizens and the principles of the rule of law by fostering a society where people understand not only their rights but also what is expected of them by the country.

“Our goal is to foster interaction among Nigerians, promote respect for the rule of law, and ensure citizens know their rights and civic responsibilities — such as voting to elect future leaders not based on materialism but based on integrity and competence,” Gamawa stated.

He added that understanding and exercising one’s franchise, especially during elections, must go hand in hand with being law-abiding and fully aware of civil responsibilities.

As part of its mission, Airlin is currently targeting 19 states in Northern Nigeria, with Jos becoming the 15th state to be commissioned.

The ceremony also featured the appointment of state and local government coordinators who will help drive the organization’s grassroots advocacy efforts.

With a current membership base of 2.1 million Nigerians aged 18 and above, Airlin projects a significant growth trajectory, aiming to reach 7 million members before the next general elections.

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Nothing new in FBI report on Tinubu, says Onanuga

Published

7 days ago

April 13, 2025

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Senior Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga has dismissed a report of a United State (U.S.) court ordering two law enforcement agencies to release information on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a “purported federal investigation in the 1990s.”

In a tweet on his verified X handle, Onanuga told those agitated by the directive that there would be nothing revealing in the anticipated report.

In an April 9 ruling, District Court for the District of Columbia Judge, Beryl Howell ordered the Department of State, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to release the information to Mr. Allan Greenspan.

The information being sought by Greenspan was classified as “confidential information” generated during a “purported federal investigation in the 1990s.”

Judge Howell said that protecting the information from public disclosure “is neither logical nor plausible.”

Commenting on the ruling, Onanuga said: “There is nothing new to be revealed. The report by Agent Moss of the FBI and the DEA report have been in the public space for more than 30 years. The reports did not indict the Nigerian leader”, Onanuga said yesterday.

He said that counsel to the President have been “examining the ruling”.

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