The Department of State Services (DSS), has summoned and interrogated two siblings of the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa. This move follows the suspension of Bawa by President Bola Tinubu on June 14, pending an investigation into allegations of abuse of office.
The DSS reportedly called in Yazid Bawa, who is also employed at the EFCC, and Bashir Bawa, currently working at the Nigerian Communications Commission, for questioning. During their interrogation, the secret police also seized a bulletproof car and a brand-new Mercedes-Benz, which were allegedly linked to the two siblings.
Notably, the DSS also questioned Hadiza Gamawa, the Chief of Staff to the suspended EFCC Chairman, and his legal adviser, U.U. Buhari, as part of their ongoing investigation.
These developments are part of the wider probe into Bawa’s tenure at the EFCC, which has been marked by “weighty allegations” of misconduct and abuse of power. Since his suspension, Abdulrasheed Bawa has remained in the custody of the DSS, without formal charges or prosecution.
On August 31, the DSS further escalated the situation by arresting Mr. Bawa’s personal assistants, Rufa’i Zaki and Daniela Jimoh, in connection with their ongoing investigation.
The continued detention of Bawa without clear charges has prompted calls from various quarters, including lawyers and civil society organizations, demanding either his release or a fair and transparent legal process to determine his fate.
