AbdulRasheed Bawa, the embattled EFCC Chair.
EFCC Chair, Bawa suspended by President Tinubu. In a surprising turn of events, the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has taken the decision to indefinitely suspend the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, AbdulRasheed Bawa, from his position. This news has sent shockwaves through the political and financial sectors, leaving many wondering what could have led to such a drastic move.
In light of some serious allegations of abuse of office against him, he has been suspended indefinitely. This will give the authorities ample time to conduct a thorough investigation into his conduct while he was in office.
On a Wednesday afternoon, the Director of Information from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, announced the suspension.
Bawa was, however, directed to immediately handover to the Director of Operations in the Commission pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The statement read, “President Tinubu has approved the indefinite suspension from office of AbdulRasheed Bawa, CON, as the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office. This follows weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.
“Mr Bawa has been directed to immediately handover the affairs of his office to the Director, Operations in the Commission, who will oversee the affairs of the Office of the Chairman of the Commission pending the conclusion of the investigation.”
Matawalle’s $2m bribe allegation against Bawa
Recall that former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle accused the suspended EFCC Chair, Bawa of demanding $2m bribe.
Matawalle said “If he (Bawa) exits office, people will surely know he is not an honest person. I have evidence against him. Let him vacate the office, I am telling you within 10 seconds probably more than 200 people will bring evidence of bribes he collected from them. He knows what he requested from me but I declined.
“He requested a bribe of two million dollars from me and I have evidence of this. He knows the house we met, he invited me and told me the conditions. He told me governors were going to his office but I did not. If I don’t have evidence, I won’t say this,”
The EFCC, however, debunked Matawalle’s claim through the commission’s spokeswoman, Wilson Uwujaren, who described Matawalle’s claim as a “phantom.”