ABUJA, Nigeria – The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, AbdulRasheed Bawa, has been suspended indefinitely by President Bola Tinubu following “serious allegations of abuse of office”.
The suspension, which takes effect immediately, requires Bawa to relinquish his responsibilities to the Director of Operations at the EFCC.
The suspension was announced in a terse statement issued on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, by Willie Bassey, the Director of Information at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.
“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,” the statement read.
It further clarified that the suspension was predicated on severe allegations of abuse of office, although the details of these allegations were not disclosed.
The suspension will remain in effect until an investigation into the accusations is concluded.
The announcement has rocked the EFCC, a key institution in Nigeria’s fight against corruption, raising concerns about the strength and credibility of the organization.
In compliance with President Tinubu’s directives, Bawa is expected to immediately hand over the administration of his office to the Director of Operations at the EFCC.
