A coalition of youths in Kebbi State, the home state of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has joined the calls by various pressure groups and Civil Society Organisations for the embattled anti-corruption czar to step down or be sacked by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd).
The concerned youths under the auspices of Kebbi Youths’ Coalition, stated their position on the raging issue concerning Bawa, at a press conference, held in Sokoto on Friday.
The chairman, Kabiru Hassan Kalgo, who read the coalition press statement, recalled that “over the past few days, there have been growing calls, for Mr Bawa to quit as the chairman of the EFCC over what has become known as the character of his leadership in disobeying orders of the courts, across the country.”
“As people of Kebbi State, we are known to be of noble characters and obedient to the instructions of God and constituted authorities.
“We are particularly sad, that Mr Bawa, who ordinarily should be our ambassador as young people of Kebbi, has become an embarrassment, by abusing the privileges of his office as the chairman of the EFCC.
“It is no longer news, going by available pieces of evidence, that Abdulrasheed Bawa, has chosen to become someone known for brazenly disobeying orders of courts in such a manner that does not only undermine the institutions of our democracy but also indicate a contradiction to the anti-corruption agenda of the administration of General Muhammadu Buhari (retd).
“In the very recent time, Bawa, has been convicted to prison terms on about three different occasions within space of one month for clear breach of the extant orders of the court.
“This does not represent the kind of integrity, that any occupant of such a sensitive position as that of EFCC, should be known for.
“We are of the opinion, that those who preach equity, must practice equity.
“You cannot continue to administer a law enforcement institution, while at the same time, being disobedient to the institution of the law, particularly our courts.”
Kebbi Youths’ Coalition further posited that, Bawa is setting a dangerous precedent for the compliance to law and order in Nigeria and this must be discouraged by all patriots.
“Finally, we wish to restate that the character of Abdulrasheed Bawa is not a true representation of who we are, as young people of the state and therefore stands condemned.
“We believe that no individual or group should at anytime be seen to be above the rule of law in our country,” the coalition stated.