Nigeria's Buhari nominates 40-year-old as new anti-graft chief

Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari has nominated a 40-year-old as new head of the country's anti-graft body, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

A statement from Femi Adesina, an aide on media and publicity, said the president had written to the Senate, seeking the confirmation of Mr Abdul Rasheed Bawa as substantive Chairman of the EFCC.

If confirmed, Bawa will be the first substantive EFCC chairman under Buhari. The first acting chairperson when Buhari came into office, Ibrahim Magu served between 2015 and July 2020 but was serially thrown out by the last Senate.

The 40-year-old nominee who is awaiting a Senate screening will become one of the youngest officials heading a sensitive state entity.

"He is a trained EFCC investigator with vast experience in the investigation and prosecution of Advance Fee Fraud cases, official corruption, bank fraud, money laundering, and other economic crimes," Buhari's aide said.

Adding, that Bawa was one of the pioneer EFCC Cadet Officers in 2005. He holds a B.Sc degree in Economics, and a Masters in International Affairs and Diplomacy.

He is said to have undergone several specialised trainings in different parts of the world.