Bawa, Former EFCC Boss Regains Freedom After 4 Months in DSS Detention

Bawa, Former EFCC Boss Regains Freedom After 4 Months in DSS Detention

After having a dose of what it is to be detained for long without trial, Abdurasheed Bawa, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regained his freedom from the custody of Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday, after 134 days in detention. A video was on social media seeing Mr. Bawa

After having a dose of what it is to be detained for long without trial, Abdurasheed Bawa, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regained his freedom from the custody of Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday, after 134 days in detention.

A video was on social media seeing Mr. Bawa being welcomed into the warm embrace of his family and friends as he walked out of detention Wednesday night. His release was confirmed in a short statement signed by Peter Afunanya, Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications Department of State Services National Headquarters.

However, the secret services did not charge the former anti-graft commission boss to court despite being in detention for barely four months after his suspension by the president in mid-June of this year.

Before his detention, a statement by Willie Bassey, the Director of Information of the Secretary to the Government of Federation noted that the president has approved the suspension of the former EFCC boss over an allegation of abuse of office.

The statement further ordered Mr Bawa to hand over the affairs of the Commission to the director of operations who will oversee the affairs of the office of the chairman of the commission, pending the conclusion of the investigation.

Upon his suspension, the Secret Service invited Mr Bawa into its custody for interrogation, however, he was not allowed to leave the DSS custody until four months later.

However, before his release, the Mr. Bawa had taken steps to sue the Department of Secret Services for detaining him without trials, asking that the court orders the DSS to grant his release without hesitation.

In the suit marked FHC/CS/2108/23, filed on October 20,2023, between the former EFCC chairman and DSS, is brought Pursuant to Order 11 Rules 1, 2 and 3 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009, Sections 35(1)(4)(a), (5)(a)(b), 41(1), 46 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The case, which was filed by Mr Chinedu Oburu, representing Abdulrasheed Bawa, prayed the court to declare his detention illegal and should be allowed to leave the DSS custody unconditionally.

Mr Oburu also sought an order from the court for “a Declaration that the continued detention of the Applicant from June 14, 2023 till date without Arraignment or Criminal prosecution is a flagrant abuse and violation of his fundamental rights to freedom, liberty, and personal dignity.

“AN Order directing the Respondent to immediately release the Applicant from custody. And for further or other Orders as the Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”.

Despite being in custody for four months, the Presidency and the DSS are yet to publicly disclose the outcome of the investigation conducted on the former anti-graft boss. There are speculations that monies may have been recovered from him.

However, the Nigerian Senate confirmed Ola Olukoyede as the new chairman of the EFCC after his appointment was validated by President Bola Tinubu weeks ago.

It would be recalled that Bawa’s removal from office followed the same style as how some of his predecessors such as Ibrahim Magu, Farida Waziri, and Ibrahim Magu who were ejected from office uncourteously.

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