Stashed funds: Number of governors on EFCC watchlist has increased, says Bawa

Abdulrasheed Bawa, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says the number of governors on the agency’s watchlist for alleged money laundering has increased.

On November 4, a Daily Trust publication had reported that the EFCC boss said three serving governors are being monitored over their alleged moves to launder stashed billions of naira through payment of salaries to workers.

Speaking on Thursday after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja, Bawa said the commission is keeping a close eye on the governors.

The EFCC chairman, however, declined to mention the number of governors under surveillance or their names.

Bawa said the proposal to redesign the naira is crucial in the nation’s fight against financial crime and other types of corruption.

He also urged Nigerians to use EagleEye, the commission’s app created to report crimes.

“Let me use this opportunity to remind Nigerians that EagleEye is very important for those that are reporting the hoarders of these currencies that we know are out there,” he said.

“That is one. On the issue of the governors that we are monitoring, the numbers have increased. We are monitoring everything.”

Bawa also advised politicians to avoid the use of illicit funds for their campaigns.

“For politicians, the message is very clear. Of course, you know, they should sell themselves; they should talk about issues,” he said.

“We want to hear about how they are going to solve the problems, not what the problems are. I think it is very important and I think they are doing that.

“And then of course, we encourage that they shouldn’t use illegitimate funds in their campaign finances and all of that.”