The State Security Service (SSS) has released the immediate-past Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, 134 days after taking him into custody.
The agency, which calls itself the Department of State Services (DSS), said in a statement: “DSS confirms release of former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, a few hours ago (today 25th October 2023).”
The secret police did not state why it held Bawa for so long without charge, nor did it say charges would be filed.
Bawa was arrested on June 14 but was not arraigned.
The SSS’ post on the social media platform X generated various reactions.
A user asked: “Why was he held so long without charging him to court?”
Activist lawyers Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Prof Chidi Odinkalu were among those who slammed the DSS for abuse of power regarding Bawa’s detention.
“Can the DSS continue to be the accuser, arrester, detainer, investigator, prosecutor and judge?” Ozekhome had asked.
Odinkalu had said: “An administration led by those who claim to have resisted the abuses of military rule should not be caught now replaying the playbook that they reviled.”
Prior to his arrest, a statement signed by the Director of Information in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Willie Bassey, said Bawa’s suspension followed weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.
Bassey stated that Bawa has been directed to immediately handover the affairs of his office to the Director, Operations, in the commission, who will oversee the affairs of the office of the chairman of the commission, pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The statement partly reads, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,GCFR, has approved the indefinite suspension from office of Mr. AbdulRasheed Bawa, CON, as the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.
“This follows weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.”