My achievement as EFCC chairman is increasing naira value against dollar – Bawa

The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has claimed he helped to improve the value of the naira against the dollar.

He said, “One achievement which most of you may not easily recognise is the impact which EFCC’s intervention in the forex market has had on the value of the naira,” Mr Bawa said at a workshop organised for journalists held at the anti-graft commission’s headquarters in Abuja, on Wednesday.

“From well over N710 to the dollar, following the commission’s intervention, the naira has appreciated significantly against the dollar in the parallel market. And we are not relenting in our efforts to check harmful speculative activities in the sector.

“Without doubt, the media’s ability to inform and sensitise the people on the ills of corruption and economic crime is crucial for us.”

According to the EFCC chairman, at the end of 2021, the anti-graft agency recorded 2,220 convictions.

“I am pleased to inform you that we are poised to improve on that figure as the record of convictions as of August 5, 2022, was 2,210,” he added.

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, had blamed BDC operators and speculators for the downward trend of the national currency.

To further restrict forex flow at the parallel market, the CBN threatened to arrest and prosecute Nigerians using naira to buy dollars.