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EFCC In shock as court convicts chairman, Bawa
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reacted to the conviction of its chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.
A statement by the Head of Media, Wilson Uwujaren said the anti-graft agency received the verdict with shock.
Justice Chizoba Oji of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama ruled that Bawa failed to comply with an order of November 21, 2018.
The court had directed the return of seized assets comprising a Range Rover and the sum of N40million
Uwujaren noted that the judgement creates a wrong impression that its chairman was encouraging impunity.
The spokesperson said Bawa has been an apostle of rule of law, due process, and collaboration between institutions in justice administration.
The EFCC stressed that the FCT High Court order was given on November 21, 2018, three years before Bawa became the chairman.
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“This fact is germane as the contempt process is quasi criminal in nature and must be served on the person involved. Bawa, as incumbent chairman, was neither served form 48 nor form 49,” he said.
Uwujaren said the commission released the vehicle to the applicant on the 27th of June, 2022 and approved the process to release the remaining N40m.
The statement confirmed that the EFCC had initiated a process to set aside the entire contempt proceedings and committal of Bawa for contempt.
North West Group Demands Bawa’s Release
The Northwest Alliance for Citizens Freedom (NWCF) has demanded the immediate release of Abdurasheed Bawa, the suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement, NWCF’s president general, Lawal Ibrahim Jamaare, expressed concern over Bawa’s arbitrary arrest and unexplained detention.
“Since his suspension by President Bola Tinubu on June 14, Abdurasheed Bawa has languished in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for 33 days. NWCF points out that during this time, no specific reasons have been provided for his arrest, and there has been a lack of transparency surrounding the investigation and any potential charges against him,” the statement read.
The group contended that Bawa’s prolonged detention by the DSS was a clear violation of his constitutional and human rights. Under the 1999 Constitution and other relevant laws, every individual is entitled to personal liberty, and any arrest or detention must be carried out in a manner prescribed by law.
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“NWCF emphasises that the denial of access to legal counsel and family members further compounds the violation and runs contrary to international human rights norms, which expressly forbid arbitrary or unlawful detention.
“In light of these serious concerns, NWCF has adopted resolutions and presented demands, vehemently condemning the unlawful arrest and detention of Abdurasheed Bawa.
“The group is urging the Nigerian government to uphold its obligations in safeguarding human rights and the rule of law. NWCF asserts that the actions of the DSS represent a flagrant breach of the rights enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and various regional and international treaties that Nigeria has pledged to uphold,” it further stated.
