JUST IN: DSS ransacks suspended EFCC chairman, Bawa’s home, targets associates

The Department of State Services has searched Abdulrasheed Bawa’s residence, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who is now on suspension.

The secret police also searched his office.When looking into how the nation’s top anti-graft agency was run, the secret police were not being kind to the beleaguered boss’s close friends.

According to The Punch, EFCC’s close allies of Bawa were asked for questioning by the DSS due to alleged mismanagement, theft, and diversion of funds from sold properties forfeited to the EFCC.

Bawa, who is currently in the care of the DSS “Yellow House,” Abuja, is being investigated for alleged financial misconduct while serving as the head of the EFCC.

Bawa had been indefinitely removed from his position as EFCC chairman by President Bola Tinubu on June 14.

According to PUNCH, the search of his Gwarinpa residence in Abuja took place on Saturday with his wife and kids present.

Another group of DSS agents inspected Bawa’s office that day as well after presenting a search warrant, a source told the media outlet.

“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.

A government source, who also pleaded anonymity, however, said the DSS had yet to file charges against the embattled EFCC boss as investigation was still ongoing.

“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.”

The DSS had earlier obtained an ex parte order to extend Bawa’s detention in their facility, while they continue with their investigation.

The move by the DSS was to deter Bawa from filing lawsuits to challenge his detention, a government source said.