DSS Conducts Search of Bawa's Abuja Residence and Expands Investigation to Associates

Operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) have recently conducted a search of both the residence and office belonging to Abdulrasheed Bawa, the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in Abuja. 

The secret police also summoned close associates of Bawa from the EFCC for questioning regarding alleged mismanagement, misappropriation, and diversion of proceeds from sold assets that were forfeited to the EFCC.

Dr. Peter Afunanya, the spokesperson for the DSS, declined to comment when approached about the matter on Wednesday. Bawa, who is presently being held in custody at the DSS "Yellow House" in Abuja, is under investigation for suspected financial impropriety during his tenure as EFCC chairman.

President Bola Tinubu had suspended Bawa indefinitely on June 14, which led to his subsequent arrest by the DSS. According to reliable sources, the search of Bawa's residence in Gwarinpa, Abuja, took place on Saturday, with his wife and children present. On the same day, another group of DSS operatives executed a search warrant at his office in the EFCC Headquarters in Jabi.

An anonymous source familiar with the operation revealed that Bawa's close associates at the EFCC office were also summoned for questioning this week. They are being investigated for allegations of mismanagement, misappropriation, and diversion of proceeds from forfeited assets sold under Bawa's supervision.

Although an unnamed government source stated that the DSS has yet to file charges against the embattled EFCC boss, the investigation is still ongoing. The DSS intends to gather sufficient evidence before proceeding.

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, did not respond to inquiries regarding the matter. Furthermore, The Punch previously reported that the DSS obtained an ex parte order to extend Bawa's detention in their facility to impede him from filing lawsuits contesting his detention.