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?”
Another said: “You’ve now been used as a political tool, shame.”
Another user wrote in pidgin: “He steal abi him no steal?”
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.”
The Nation
