Abdulrasheed Bawa, the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been released from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
News About Nigeria reported that Bawa had been in detention since June when he was suspended by President Bola Tinubu amid serious allegations of abuse of office.
Willie Bassey, the Director of Information at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, had initially announced Bawa’s suspension, citing weighty allegations of misconduct as the reason behind the decision.
Among these allegations was the claim made by Bello Matawalle, the former governor of Zamfara State and the current Minister of State for Defence, who accused Bawa of soliciting a $2 million bribe from him.
Bawa vehemently denied the accusation.
The suspension was intended to facilitate a comprehensive investigation into Bawa’s conduct during his tenure as the head of the EFCC.
Peter Afunanya, the spokesman for the DSS, confirmed Bawa’s release, stating, “DSS confirms release of former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, a few hours ago (today 25th October, 2023).”
Following his release, a video of Bawa’s reunion with his wives and children went viral on social media.
Sources with knowledge of the situation have disclosed that prominent current and former government officials had applied pressure on the President to instruct the DSS to release Bawa.
“Yes, he was released today after much pressure from who is who in the society,” a security source told Daily Trust.
Another source indicated that Bawa was released after the DSS had completed their investigations and inquiries with him.
It should be noted that before his release, Bawa’s residence and office in Abuja had been searched by DSS operatives. He had also spent the previous Eid-el-Kabir holiday in the custody of the secret police.
