Bawa, Ekpungu Relieved As EFCC Chairman, Secretary
Mark IDRAH
The earlier suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa and Secretary George Ekpungu has been relieved of their appointments on Thursday 12th September, by president Bola Tinubu.
Recall that Mr. Bawa was accused of corruption and financial impropriety, and was suspended by president Bola Tinubu, weeks after the president was sworn in into office.
Meanwhile, the president has approved the appointment of Mr. Ola Olukayode as the new chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Olukayode is a private legal practitioner with over 22 years of experience as a regulatory compliance consultant and specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence.
He has never worked or belonged to any security or law enforcement agency, even as a member.
However, Mr. Olukayode is believed to have had extensive experience in the operation of the EFCC, having previously served as Chief of Staff to the Chairman from (2016-2018) and as Secretary to the Commission from (2018-2023).
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Section 2(3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004, empowers the president to appoint the Chairman and members of the Commission, other than ex-officio members and that is exactly what the president has done.
Ola Olukayode, who is a senior pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, is the first southerner, Christian, and non-officer to lead the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The new secretary is Muhammed Hammajoda from the northern part of the country.
The Beagle News gathered that Mr. George Ekpungu may have fallen victim of zoning arrangement as the chairman and secretary cannot come from the same region since the new chairman is from the southern part of Nigeria.
