In a surprising turn of events, after serving as the Chairman
of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) for three years and four
months, Abdulrasheed Bawa was abruptly removed from office. The announcement
came as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended Bawa indefinitely and ordered an
investigation into his activities during his tenure.
Following the suspension, Bawa was swiftly arrested and
detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) on the same night. Dr. Peter
Afunanya, the spokesperson for the DSS, confirmed the arrest, stating that Bawa
was invited for questioning regarding some investigative activities related to
him.
The directive to suspend Bawa came from the Office of the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), represented by Senator
George Akume, and was communicated through a circular issued by Director of
Information Willie Bassey. The circular explained that President Tinubu’s
decision was a result of serious allegations that had been leveled against
Bawa.
Furthermore, Bawa was instructed to hand over the affairs of
the EFCC to the Director of Operations immediately. The circular stated that
the suspension was necessary to enable a thorough investigation into the alleged
abuse of office by Bawa. Until the investigation is concluded, the Director of
Operations will oversee the activities of the Chairman’s office.
Bawa’s predecessor, Ibrahim Magu, was also controversially
removed from the position. At 43 years old, Bawa was the youngest person to
lead the anti-graft agency at the time of his appointment. He had been
attending meetings at Aso Villa with President Tinubu and other government
officials since the president’s inauguration on May 29.
Over the past two weeks, Bawa had engaged in discussions with
Bello Matawalle, the former Governor of Zamfara State, whom he accused of
mismanaging the state’s resources. Matawalle responded by calling the EFCC
chairman corrupt and demanded his resignation while suggesting that he subject
himself to investigation.
Unlike his predecessors, who were all senior police officers,
Bawa became the first civilian to head the EFCC. He had previously worked at
the agency for more than 20 years as an investigator before his appointment as
Chairman. Notably, he led the team responsible for investigating alleged
corruption under the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani
Allison-Madueke.
Bawa, who held the rank of Deputy Chief Superintendent before
his appointment, was nominated as the substantive Chairman on February 16,
2021, and confirmed by the National Assembly on February 24, 2021. He holds a
degree in Economics from Usmanu Danfodio University in Sokoto, where he also
obtained a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy. It is
reported that he is currently studying Law.
Recently, Bawa appeared as a witness for the EFCC in a petrol
subsidy scam case at the Ikeja High Court, showcasing his active involvement in
combating economic crimes.
