EFCC Chairman, Bawa Appeals Conviction, Denies Comtempt Of Court

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has appealed the court ruling which convicted him of contempt of court and remanded to the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Naija News had reported that Justice Chizoba Oji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court convictedconvicted Bawa in relation to his agency’s failure to comply with an earlier order of the court.

In her ruling on Tuesday, Justice Oji held that the EFCC boss is in contempt of the order of the court made on November 21, 2018, directing the commission to return to an applicant, his Range Rover (super charge) and the sum of N40 million.

The judge further directed the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, to ensure that the order of this court is executed forthwith.

Reacting to the judgement in a chat with reporters on Tuesday, Bawa said an appeal had been filed against the ruling and would allow the law to take its natural course.

“Well, we have appealed against it, so we will allow the natural course of law to take its effect,” he said.

The EFCC boss stated this after he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption to defend his agency’s 2023 budget.

Bawa stated that the commission requested more funding for its Academy and the agency’s operations which he said requires money.

The EFCC boss expressed confidence that the 9th National Assembly, which he described as purposeful, would heed the request.

This development comes hours after the spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said the Commission would appeal the ruling.

“The Commission is appealing the ruling.” he had said.