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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the release of former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, from its custody.
Bawa, it was learnt, regained his freedom few minutes before 10pm on Wednesday.
The immediate past EFCC chairman was arrested by the secret police shortly after he was suspended from office.
The DSS had invited him for questioning in respect of an ongoing investigation.
“The invitation relates to some investigative activities concerning him,” Peter Afunanya, the DSS spokesperson, had said.
President Bola Tinubu had on June 14 approved Bawa’s suspension as EFCC chairman and ordered a probe into his activities in office.
According to a statement signed by Willie Bassey, Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the suspension followed “weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against Bawa.”
Lawyers such as Pelumi Olajengbesi had faulted Bawa’s continued detention without charges, describing it as unconstitutional and a violation of his fundamental human rights
However, DSS spokesperson Afunanya, confirmed Bawa’s release in a post on the official X account of the secret police late Wednesday night.
“DSS confirms release of former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, a few hours ago (today 25th October, 2023).
A video of Bawa being welcomed by his wives and children has since gone viral.