Bawa’s Troubles Mount: DSS Grills Suspended EFCC Chairman over Alleged Fraud and Abuse of Power
The suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, is facing a serious investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS) over various charges of abuse of office.
According to sources, Bawa arrived at the DSS headquarters around 9:02 pm on Tuesday and was immediately interrogated by the secret police operatives.
The DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, confirmed Bawa’s invitation in a brief statement. He said the invitation was related to some investigative activities concerning him.
Bawa, who was appointed as the EFCC Chairman in February 2021 by Former President Muhammadu Buhari, was suspended indefinitely on Monday for allegedly misusing his powers and engaging in corrupt practices.
He was accused of stealing and selling dozens of petrol-bearing trucks confiscated from suspected looters, auctioning them off to his proxies at ridiculous prices while he was in charge of the Port Harcourt office of the EFCC. He was also alleged to have violated the code of conduct for public officers by owning properties beyond his legitimate income.
Bawa, who is 43 years old, was the youngest and first person from the northwest to head the EFCC since its creation in 2003.
He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto. He also holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of London.
He joined the EFCC as an Assistant Detective Superintendent in 2004 and rose through the ranks to become the Deputy Chief Superintendent of the anti-graft agency.
He has been involved in the prosecution of several high-profile cases of fraud, money laundering, and corruption. He has also received training from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN), and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The investigation into Bawa’s activities is expected to last for several days as the DSS gathers more evidence against him. He has been ordered to hand over the affairs of his office to the Director Operations of the Commission, who will act as the interim Chairman until further notice.
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