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Newspaper Headlines: EFCC says no record of corruption against Bawa and Abdulsalami’s alarm

Ayodeji.oluwafemi@thecable.ng'byAyodele Oluwafemi
February 17, 2021 10:12 am

A new sheriff is in town! The nomination of Abdulrasheed Bawa as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by President Muhammadu Buhari made the headlines of many Nigerian newspapers. However, the nomination was reported from different frames.  Achievements, broken tradition and alleged graft were the major frames used by Nigerian newspapers to report the nomination of Bawa. The comments of Abubakar Abdulsalami, former head of state, on the state of the nation also made the headlines.

Daily Sun leads with what the newspaper described as a “damning verdict” on the state of the nation by Abubakar Abdulsalami, former head of state. The newspaper reported that the former head of state said the country is moving towards anarchy and disintegration, if the problems leading to rising tension are not urgently addressed. The newspaper also reported the concerns of the United Kingdom on inter-communal violence in Nigeria. The nomination of Abdulrasheed Bawa as the chairman of the EFCC by President Muhammadu Buhari appeared on the cover page of the newspaper.
The issues of open grazing and herder-farmer conflicts made the cover story of the Nigerian Tribune. The newspaper reported the suggestion of Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, that a pastoralism commission should be established to address the constant herder-farmer conflicts in the country. The newspaper also reported that some states have insisted on ban on open grazing. On power supply, the Nigerian Tribune reported that the federal government spends N50 billion on electricity subsidy monthly. A figure that was released by Saleh Mamman, minister of power.
With the recent directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria Nigeria (CBN) prohibiting cryptocurrency transactions via Nigerian financial institutions, The Guardian reported that the restriction has opened the country to fresh foreign scramble as crypto traders are seeking other options to trade, neglecting the country’s financial institutions. The newspaper also reported that the move has led to more Nigerians signing-up on trading platforms. The Guardian says the newly-nominated EFCC boss, Bawa, is without police background — unlike previous EFCC heads.
Although the newly-appointed EFCC chief has not been confirmed by the senate, allegations of corruption against him have surfaced.  The Punch reported that Bawa had appeared before the Salami-led panel over allegations that he was involved in the diversion of 224 forfeited trucks, but Bawa denied any involvement.  The anti-graft agency said Bawa has no record of corruption. In another report, the newspaper said men in military uniforms were arrested with 234kg drugs.
The Nation devoted its cover story to the Shasha market clash in Ibadan, Oyo state capital. The newspaper said northern governors ruled out ethnicity as the cause of the conflict. Leadership tussle is behind conflict, The Nation reported. Atiku Bagadu, governor of Kebbi state, said after a fact-finding exercise, a long-running leadership tussle in the market was the remote cause of the conflict. The newspaper says the nomination of Bawa as EFCC chairman broke an 18-year tradition in the agency. If confirmed by the senate, he will be the first EFCC cadet to head the commission.
Daily Trust reported the advice of Abdulsalami to state governors on its cover story. The former head of state asked the governors to resolve their differences and take responsibility. The donation of N18.5 million to Kano indigenes who were victims of the Shasha market clash by the Kano state government appeared on the cover page.

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