The residence and workplace of Abdulrasheed Bawa, the temporarily suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, were searched by agents of the Department of State Services.
The secret police allegedly mismanaged, misappropriated, and diverted revenues of sold properties forfeited to the EFCC, according to information obtained by The PUNCH, and they also invited Bawa’s close allies in the EFCC for questioning during the same week.
Dr. Peter Afunanya, the DSS spokesperson, declined to comment on the situation on Wednesday when asked to do so.
Bawa, who is currently being held in the custody of the DSS “Yellow House,” Abuja, is being probed for alleged financial impropriety as EFCC helmsman.
A trustworthy source with knowledge of the operation reported that Bawa’s office was also searched the same day by additional DSS agents who produced a search warrant.
“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,” the source said.
However, a government source who also requested anonymity claimed that because the investigation was still ongoing, the DSS had not yet brought charges against the troubled EFCC chairman.
“The DSS is yet to charge him to court because they’re still carrying out their investigation to get enough evidence to help their case.”