The new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has been promoted to Grade Level 14, rank of Chief Detective Superintendent ahead of his Senate screening.

Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on February 16, 2021, was on Grade Level 13 and a Deputy Chief Detective Superintendent.

He got the promotion amidst controversy and lawsuit filed against him concerning his previous qualification.

.According to Section 2 of the EFCC Act, which states that a person who will be appointed as chairman of the commission must have at least 15 years experience and must be the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police or its equivalent.

A lawyer, Osuagwu Ugochukwu, filed a suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop the Senate from confirming Bawa.

A top source in the EFCC had disclosed that Bawa and his course mates were given letters of promotion with immediate effect, which now qualifies Bawa to take up the new job.

The source also revealed that Bawa and his mates who are part of the pioneer Course 1 of the EFCC Cadet Officers were supposed to have been promoted over a year ago but their promotions were being delayed by the police-led leadership of the commission.

He said “Bawa and his course mates have been promoted to Level 14. Hopefully, this will put to rest the controversy surrounding his eligibility for the role of EFCC chairman. I agree that the promotion should have been effected before his appointment was announced as this would have prevented unnecessary controversies.

“The truth is that he has been overdue for promotion.”