The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has given reason why he nominated Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa to the chair of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Malami, who gave the reason in an interview on Monday, said four names, including that of Mr Bawa were submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for consideration on who to head the EFCC.
President Buhari went with the choice of Bawa, and on February 24 the confirmed the appointment of Mr Bawa, who was nominated by the President on February 15, as the substantive chairman of the EFCC.
In the interview with DailyTrust, Malami said his choice of Bawa as the chairperson of the EFCC was based on his competence.
However, since Mr Bawa was appointed the fifth substantive EFCC chair, there have been mixed reactions from different quarters due to his relationship with the AGF, who has been alleged to have played a significant role in the removal of the former suspended acting EFCC chairman.
Both Messrs Malami and Bawa are from Kebbi State but hail from different local government areas.
Mr Bawa, 40, a pioneer EFCC cadet officer from Course One of 2005, rose through the ranks to head the Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and Lagos zonal offices of the commission at various times.
But, Malami said despite the comments made on his selection of Mr Bawa, none of them challenged his capacity to deliver as head of the country’s leading anti-corruption agency.
He also denied being related to Mr Bawa.
“I am happy that most of the comments made are not on his capacity, intelligence, competence and associated ability to deliver. His capacity to deliver was never questioned across the nation.
“The question is whether justice has been served, whether public interest has been served having the chairman appointed with a particular regard to his capacity and ability to deliver.
“My answer is yes. He has the capacity, ability and institutional history of the institution to do justice by way of bringing about added value,” he said.
Mr Malami said having headed three operational divisions of the commission, Mr Bawa’s credentials made him to be selected among the names forwarded to the president.