Related by blood? At last, Malami opens up on why he recommended Bawa as EFCC boss

- Abubakar Malami has denied being related to Abdulrasheed Bawa, the EFCC boss

- Malami said Bawa was recommended for the job major because of his proven proficiency

- The AFG expressed confidence that justice was served in President Muhammadu Buhari's appointment of Bawa

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The minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami, has responded to claims that he is a family relative of the new EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

Malami, in a recent interview with Daily Trust, said such allegations and reports are baseless and false.

The minister of justice revealed that he recommended Bawa solely because of his professional profile and wealth of experience in the anti-graft war spearheaded by the agency.

The AGF said before Bawa was appointed, the names of four nominees were sent to President Muhammadu Buhari.

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Malami noted that he is glad that reactions from Nigerians have nothing to do with a lack of confidence in Bawa's capacity to deliver.

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He pointed out:

“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 particular regard to his capacity and ability to deliver."

Meanwhile, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) had described the nomination of Bawa as chairman of the EFCC as another win for Nigerian youths.

The NYCN made the declaration in a statement sent to Legit.ng on Wednesday, February 17, and signed by its president, Comrade Solomon Adodo.

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The council said it received with great delight the news of the nomination of the 40-year old EFCC career staff subject to the confirmation of the Nigerian Senate.

Part of the statement read:

“Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa's nomination is another great win for the Nigerian youth and has gone a great deal in unifying the youth irrespective of religious or regional inclinations.

“Mr. Bawa is indeed a round peg in a round hole. We have diligently looked through the untainted records of this great and young compatriot who has risen through the ranks of the EFCC."

Onyirioha Nnamdi is a graduate of Literature and English Language at the University of Lagos. He is a Politics/Current Affairs Editor who writes on news and political topics for Legit.ng. He brings into his reporting a wealth of experience in creative and analytical writing. Nnamdi has a major interest in local and global politics.

Source: Legit.ng