Bawa

President, Bola Tinubu has approved the indefinite suspension of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, AbdulRasheed Bawa from office over bribery allegations and alleged abuse of office. The suspension is with immediate effect.

In a statement by the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, Wednesday, said the indefinite suspension is to allow for a thorough investigation into his conduct while in office, which follows ‘weighty allegations’ of abuse of office against him.

The embattled Bawa has also been directed to handover immediately to the Director, Operations in the commission pending the conclusion of the investigation.

The statement reads in part: “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.”

Recall that former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle had accused the EFCC-boss of demanding $2million bribe from him.

He made the allegation amid the worsening rift between the former governor and the anti-graft agency.

In a statement then, Matawalle had called for Bawa’s resignation, saying he had questions to answer on corruption.

But Bawa had responded that he had nothing to hide and asked Matawalle to petition appropriate authorities if he had any evidence against him.