The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa has reacted to his conviction by a Federal high Court in Abuja on Tuesday.
Bawa was convicted for contempt of court. Presiding Judge, Justice Chizoba Oji, in a ruling, held that “the Chairman Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is in contempt of the orders of this honourable court made on November 21st 2018 directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abuja to return to the applicant his Range Rover (Super charge) and the sum of N40, 000,000.00 (Forty Million Naira).”
“Having continued wilfully in disobedience to the order of this court, he should be committed to prison at Kuje Correctional Centre for his disobedience, and continued disobedience of the said order of court made on November 21st, 2018, until he purges himself of the contempt.”
Bawa, who appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption to defend his agency’s budget, on Tuesday, said the law would take its natural course.
“Well, we have appealed against it, so we will allow the natural course of law to take its effect.”
Below is an official statement from the commission on the matter;
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, received with shock, report of the ruling by Justice Chizoba Oji of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja committing the Executive Chairman for contempt over the failure to comply with a November 21st, 2018 order of the court directing the Commission to return seized assets comprising a Range Rover (Super charge) and the sum of N40, 000,000.00 (Forty Million Naira) to the applicant.”
“This ruling is surprising as it creates a wrong impression of the person of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC as encouraging impunity. As far as the relationship between the EFCC and the judiciary is concerned, The Executive Chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa has been an apostle of rule of law, due process, and close collaboration between the two institutions in justice administration. As an investigator, and the only Chief Executive of a law enforcement agency who regularly goes to court, the Executive Chairman will not tolerate impunity or disregard any lawful orders of court.”
“Abdulrasheed Bawa, in his capacity as Executive Chairman of the EFCC since March 5, 2022, did not disregard any order of court. For the benefit of the public, the said order of the FCT High Court was given on November 21, 2018, three years before Abdulrasheed became EFCC Chairman. This fact is germane as the contempt process is quasi criminal in nature and must be served on the person involved. In this case, Bawa as incumbent chairman of the EFCC, was neither served form 48 nor form 49.”
“Despite this fact, the Executive Chairman, upon being aware of the said order of November 21st 2018 had released the Range Rover in question to the Applicant on the 27th of June, 2022 and had approved the process of the release of the remaining N40m.”
“Taking into cognizance the procedural lapse in the contempt proceedings the commission has initiated a process to set aside the entire contempt proceedings and committal of the Executive Chairman for contempt.
Despite the discomfort of this ruling which is seemingly promoted by misinformation, the commission remains committed to working closely with the judiciary in furtherance of the fight against economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.”
The money don finish long long time ago. And na so he gode appeal de buy time till he comot for this country
It’s quite unfortunate that in this part of the world, laws are like cobwebs where small insects were caught and the great break through. Just watch how quick he’ll be left off the hook just because of his social standing. A common man would’ve tasted the fury of the biased law should the opposite be the case.
We must not forgate GOD in everything we do
No man is bigger than the law
Nigerian officials don’t obey court orders. This is not new and may continue if the Judiciary continues to sell it’s authority, covered by the constitution, for toro pence.
How do you expect Bawa to obey court order while his principal disobey court order every now and then?
We are not interested in stories. Obey before complain
The truth is sacrosanct and unimpeachable.
Why are you obeying the court order in bits and pieces?
The judge can not reply you but the truth remains the truth. The court has spoken.
Your appeal is one of those antics usually employed by those of you in government to continue to downgrade and disrespect the judiciary – it will not succeed.