Abdulrasheed Bawa, the suspended head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been refused access to lawyers and family members for more than a month after his arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS), The ICIR repors.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
Bawa, it was also reliably gathered, has also not made any statement to the Service since his arrest.
This is coming as former CBN governor Godwin Emiefele, who was arrested about the same time as Bawa by the secret service, was last Friday, July 14, charged to court for illegal possession of arms.
Bawa and Emiefele are believed to have gotten into trouble with the newly elected Bola Tinubu government for the role they played in the naira change policy believed to be targeted at the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, who eventually emerged winner in the 2023 presidential election.
The DSS invited and detained Bawa on Thursday, June 14, over undisclosed allegations.
The invitation followed Bawa’s indefinite suspension by President Bola Tinubu.
A statement released on Thursday, June 14, by the spokesperson of the DSS, Peter Afunanya, stated that Bawa had acknowledged the invitation and arrived at the facility of the Service.
According to Afunanya, “Bawa arrived a few hours ago. The invitation relates to some investigative activities concerning him.”
A source close to the suspended anti-graft agency boss told our reporter that Bawa had not been told the specific offence he committed, but there have been speculations that the major reason why he was removed and detained is due to the role he played in the attempt to scuttle the emergence of Tinubu as the candidate of the APC and eventual President of Nigeria.
The former EFCC boss is believed to have written a memo to former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, which led to redesigning the naira, which Tinubu alleged was targeted at scuttling his presidential bid.
The policy immediately brought a lot of hardship to the citizens.
Our source claimed that the DSS has not asked Bawa to make any statement so far. However, an operative of the secret service said Bawa is the one refusing to make a statement.
Tinubu sensing the plots against him months preceding the elections, made the now famous ’emi lokan’ statement which translates to ‘it’s my turn’ in Yoruba.
Tinubu, at an event on Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Abeokuta, a few days before the APC presidential primary, made a speech which is more like a tirade to a gathering of party supporters in which he gave a hint of a struggle with some forces who don’t want him to emerge.
The speech echoed nationwide and beyond and sent a message to those who did not want him.
It would seem that Tinubu went to Abeokuta to pour out his mind as he publicly accused those he said he helped attain power, who are now ganged up against his ambition of reaching the presidency of Nigeria.
According to Tinubu, Yoruba will not be relegated during Buhari’s presidency, and after his tenure, it would be the turn of the South-West.
And when it comes to the South-West, it must be his, Tinubu’s turn.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
