Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Service (DSS) has released Abdulrasheed Bawa, the former chairman of Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bawa was released on Wednesday night, after spending 134 days in detention.
DopeReporters notes that the DSS confirmed Bawa’s release from its custody in a statement issued by its Spokesman, Dr Peter Afunanya.
“DSS confirms release of former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, a few hours ago (today 25th October, 2023),” DSS said in a statement.
The former EFCC Chairman was arrested by the DSS in mid-June following his suspension by President Bola Tinubu.
Although DSS spokesman Peter Afunanya said Bawa arrived DSS office to honour an ‘invitation’, he was not allowed to leave until after four months.
Afunanya said the ‘invitation’ was in connection to some investigative activities about Bawa’s tenure as EFCC chairman.
Details from the investigation on Bawa are yet to be disclosed by the authorities.
Ola Olukoyede was appointed about a week ago by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu as the new EFCC to replace Bawa.
The Senate subsequently confirmed Olukayode as Chairman and Muhammad Hammajoda as the Secretary of the anti-graft agency.
A cross section of Nigerians had described Bawa’s continued detention as an obvious constitutional infraction.
