CS Group Raises Alarm over Calls for EFCC Chairman’s Removal
….. accuses corrupt public figures of sponsoring protests

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

Following calls by several Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for the removal of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s Chairman, AbdulRasheed Bawa, another group, Northwest Coalition of Anti Corruption, said those calling for AbdulRasheed’s removal are out to tarnish his image.

A group of over 50 CSOs had converged in Lagos in protest for the removal of the EFCC Chairman, early February and another; Coalition of Kebbi Students, also called for his removal few days ago over his consistent disobedience of court orders.

But the Northwest Coalition led by Comrade Hamza Abidin, of the Corruption Tackers Initiatives, raised an alarm at a Press Conference on Friday, allegeding that people with high profile cases are the ones using the CSOs against the EFCC Chairman.

He warned the CSOs to focus on their primary roles and responsibilities and stop working as agents of destabilization.

“The civil society organization and the rule of law are faced with a scenario in which the ruling class’s dedication to the rule of law is at odds with their preferred leadership style.

“The executive branch of government and occasionally the legislature have demonstrated that the process of equality and supremacy of law is still being fully ingrained in Nigeria’s democracy by the arbitrary abuse of positions of authority and non-compliance with judicial rulings. CSOs have persisted in their efforts to expose these systemic inconsistencies, nevertheless.

“A protest led by a CSO, calling for removal of EFCC CHAIRMAN and to tarnish the good image of the current EFCC Chairman is not what the civil society organization stood for but adhere to the rule of law and the constitution is our utmost goal and objective.

“The EFCC chairman has a constitutional duty to perform, please we urge the CSO to challenge authority base on rule of law and constitutional provisions.” He said.

Hamza, noted that his organization; Corruption Tracker Initiative has been collaborating with EFCC in the fight against the common enemy called corruption.

“We urge other civil society organization to tread on that part of honour.

“We call on President Mohammadu Buhari as a matter of urgency to direct the Anthony General, Security Chiefs and other relevant authority to give the EFCC every necessary lagal support to do their work without intimidation or blackmail.

“We call on Inspector General of police to swing into action with immediate effect to unravel those corrupt public official behind this campaign of blackmail and such persons should face the wrath of the law.”

“The Northwest coalition of Anti corruption will not hesitate to mobilize one million man match in each of the Northwest state to protest against this corrupt officials.” he added.