Suspended EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa Declines Legal Representation Amid Detention

Emerging details highlight that Abdulrasheed Bawa, the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has chosen not to engage legal representation for his defense.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Bawa’s detention, currently spanning 67 days within the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), has prompted discussions about his reluctance to secure a lawyer….CONTINUE READING

Bawa’s apprehension by the secret police took place on June 14, and he has remained in their custody ever since.

Insiders, as reported by The Punch, have disclosed that the suspended EFCC leader has declined to respond to inquiries posed by the DSS and has refrained from providing any statements.

One insider conveyed, “Bawa has refrained from seeking legal representation for court or requesting his release on bail.

Additionally, he has abstained from drafting any statements or addressing questions directed at him by multiple operatives during his detention.”

An undisclosed government source, speaking anonymously, unveiled that the DSS has yet to bring forth formal charges against Bawa, as an ongoing investigation is still underway.

“The DSS has not yet initiated court proceedings because they are continuing their investigation to gather sufficient evidence to bolster their case,” the source revealed.

It should be noted that in June, the DSS obtained an ex parte order to extend Bawa’s confinement within their facility, with the intention to prevent him from initiating legal actions to safeguard his fundamental human rights.

The source clarified, “The DSS acquired an ex parte court order during the week to prolong Emefiele’s detention beyond 48 hours to preclude his legal representatives from filing a lawsuit asserting infringement upon his constitutional rights. As per the Constitution, detention beyond 48 hours is prohibited.”

“Similarly,” the source continued, “the service secured a similar order on Thursday concerning Bawa’s detainment, facilitating the completion of the interrogation and investigation related to the allegations against him.”

While Bawa’s detention pertains to alleged financial misconduct during his tenure, confidential sources knowledgeable about the matter disclosed that he was apprehended for purportedly selling around 244 trucks valued between N20 million and N30 million each to associates, at a meager cost of N100,000 per unit.

This purported action is estimated to have cost the nation approximately N4.8 billion in potential recovered assets.

Sources, wishing to remain anonymous, revealed that the confiscation proceedings for many of the trucks had not concluded at the time of Bawa’s alleged disposal.