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EFCC acting chairman promoted to Level 14 ahead of Senate screening

Published

5 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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BREAKING: Tinubu Directs Immediate Withdrawal of Police Officers from VIPs for Core Policing Duties — Onanuga

Published

14 hours ago

November 23, 2025

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PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers currently providing security for Very Important Persons, VIPs in the country.

A statement issued by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga said henceforth, police authorities will deploy them to concentrate on their core police duties.

According to the statement, the presidential directive was issued at the security meeting President Tinubu held on Sunday with the police, Air Force, army chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, in Abuja.

The Presidential directive stated that “VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

“Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult.

“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.

“Already, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is also collaborating with the states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.”

Sunday’s meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

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Update : Relief in Kwara as Tinubu Announces Rescue of 38 Kidnapped Worshippers

Published

15 hours ago

November 23, 2025

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…vows unrelenting pursuit of national security

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday announced the rescue of all 38 worshippers abducted earlier in the week from the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara state, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to securing every Nigerian across the country.

In a post on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, the President said the development followed days of coordinated operations by security agencies, which he had personally supervised after cancelling his scheduled trip to the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

“You will recall that I cancelled my trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa to enable me to coordinate the security efforts at home. Thanks to the efforts of our security forces over the last few days, all the 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State have been rescued”, President Tinubu wrote.

The President also confirmed the recovery of 51 of the students abducted from a Catholic school in Niger State, noting that he continues to monitor nationwide security developments through constant updates from operational commanders in the field.

Expressing determination to sustain the pressure on criminal elements, President Tinubu assured citizens of his unwavering resolve to protect lives and restore stability.

“Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety, and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people,” he said.

The President commended the security forces for their efforts and pledged that the government would continue to strengthen intelligence, response capabilities, and inter-agency coordination in the ongoing fight against banditry, terrorism, and other threats.

The rescue operations come days after heightened national concern over abductions in parts of the Northwest and North-Central regions, prompting the President to order additional deployments and intensified counter-terrorism actions.

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Our Security Crisis Troubles Me Most,” Tinubu Admits

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2025

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President Bola Tinubu says insecurity remains the most troubling challenge facing Nigeria, especially the Northern region.

He said on Saturday in Kaduna that urgent efforts were required to rebuild trust, strengthen unity and restore safety across communities.

Tinubu, represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, spoke at the 25th Anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the launch of its Endowment Fund.

The president said insecurity must be tackled decisively to prevent further economic decline and educational setbacks.

Tinubu said, “Nothing troubles me more gravely than the security crisis bedevilling Nigeria, especially Northern Nigeria,

“We cannot prosper when one limb of the national body is paralysed.”

He said his administration inherited complex security challenges but was addressing them with “urgency and determination.”

The president said that the government was committed to eliminating terrorist and bandit groups operating in the North and reversing the region’s economic decline.

He expressed optimism about Northern Nigeria’s economic prospects, saying he looks forward to the day crude oil tankers begin to roll out from Kolmani and other northern oil fields.

Tinubu added that key infrastructure projects, including the Abuja, Kaduna,Kano Superhighway,. were being fast-tracked for completion and commissioning.

He said the North must speak with honest and courageous voices to address its challenges, warning that the region cannot progress if leaders fail to protect vulnerable communities.

“We fail the day we sleep comfortably while millions sleep with empty bellies, the day fear becomes a permanent companion for travellers,” he said.

Tinubu added that although decades of dysfunction had strained unity, the diversity represented at the ACF anniversary demonstrated a collective resolve to resist division and restore solidarity.

The president praised the ACF for serving as the conscience of Northern Nigeria for 25 years, saying that the forum had consistently defended dignity, fairness and equality for millions.

He described the Silver Jubilee as a celebration of courage, advocacy and principled service.

Tinubu urged leaders across all sectors to recommit to the values that guided the founding of the ACF, stressing that the unity and stability of the North were vital to Nigeria’s overall peace and development.

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