Agents from the Department of State Services (DSS) have searched the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa’s home and office in regards to the ongoing investigation.
This comes after allegations of improper administration, theft, and diversion of funds obtained from the sale of property that had been confiscated.
The DSS is presently holding the suspended EFCC Chairman in Abuja as an investigation into alleged financial irregularities during his tenure.
Bawa was suspended indefinitely as EFCC chairman by President Bola Tinubu on June 14, and shortly afterwards, the DSS took him into custody.
Reliable sources who spoke with Punch claim that DSS agents searched Bawa’s home in Gwarinpa, Abuja, in front of his wife and children.
According to the reliable source, DSS agents also searched Bawa’s office that day. A search warrant was provided for both locations.
The source stated, “DSS operatives stormed the EFCC Headquarters in Jabi on Saturday to search the office of the suspended chairman. But they presented a search warrant. Another set of DSS operatives also searched Bawa’s home in Gwarinpa, and they met his wife and children in the house during the search.
“Bawa’s close associates at the office were also invited for questioning this week, and they’re being probed on allegations of mismanagement, misappropriation, and diversion of proceeds forfeited assets sold under Bawa’s watch.”
However, an anonymous government source indicated that the DSS has not yet pressed charges against Bawa, as their investigation is ongoing.
“The DSS is yet to charge him to court because they’re still carrying out their investigation,” the source said.
Meanwhile, the DSS appears to have acquired an ex parte order extending Bawa’s detention in their facility throughout their ongoing investigation.
According to a government source, the DSS is taking this action to deter Bawa from challenging his detention in court.
Ada Peter
