DSS confirms release of Bawa, former EFCC chair after 134 days in custody

The Department of State Service (DSS), has confirmed that it released the embattled former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, on Wednesday night after over 134 days in custody.

Bawa was released Wednesday night amid celebrations by his friends and family who gathered to welcome him.

The secret police arrested Bawa on June 14, hours after his suspension by President Bola Tinubu.

“DSS confirms release of former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, a few hours ago (today 25th October, 2023),” DSS said in a statement.

While the 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’ by the Nigerian secret police relates to some investigative activities concerning Bawa’s tenure as EFCC chairman.

The Presidency and the DSS did not disclose the outcome of its investigation on Bawa as of the time of filing this report.

President Tinubu, a week ago, appointed a new EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede to replace Bawa.

The Nigerian Senate confirmed Olukayode as chairman and Muhammad Hammajoda as the Secretary of the anti-graft agency.