Former presidential candidate Moghalu criticized the DSS for holding Bawa without charging him to court or providing an explanation for why he was held in the first place.

Recall that on June 14, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended Bawa and appointed Abdulkarim Chukkol to take over as chairman in his place.

Later, Ola Olukoyede was appointed by Tinubu as the anti-graft agency’s substantive chairman, in which senate approved.

Immediately after his suspension, the DSS arrested Bawa and kept him in their custody for 134 days before he was released without an explanation.

Shortly after his release, the spokesman of the DSS confirmed the release in a terse statement, giving no reasons for the release. “DSS confirms release of former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, a few hours ago (today, 25th October 2023),” it said.

Reacting in a post on his X, formerly called Twitter, Moghalu said: “One day in late 2022, I received a phone call while I was in the United States. I did not recognize the number. It turned out to be Abdulrashid Bawa, then the Chairman of EFCC. I was naturally curious why the head of EFCC would be calling me. “Good afternoon, Sir”, he said, and introduced himself. “My name is Abdulrashid Bawa, Chairman of EFCC. I have just read the report of your think tank (@igetafrica) titled “Nigeria’s Poverty Trap – And How to End It.” Thank you for what you do for our country.” Surprised, I thanked him, and we ended the conversation

“I was therefore disappointed and sad when Bawa was removed, arrested, and detained for several months without charges or trial. To the extent he has now been released, we have no knowledge of why he was arrested in the first place or if he was guilty or innocent of any allegation against him.

“But it should not happen in a country that claims to respect the rule of law that a citizen can be held for so long without any real or clear charges. That’s impunity. Nigeria’s institutions have been destroyed, and what we see is impunity all over. Bad.”