Bawa’s Detention: INAHURAT considers legal action, protest against DSS as 7-days ultimatum draws near
Bawa’s Detention: INAHURAT considers legal action, protest against DSS as 7-days ultimatum draws near
Story from Vivian DANIEL, Abuja
A team of civil society organisations and concerned compatriots under the Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT) has written a reminder to the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Yusuf Bichi, regarding the continued detention of the suspended EFCC Chairman, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa.
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The letter by the INAHURAT’s Convener, (a former presidential aspirant during the 2023 general elections), Madam Vivian Bellonwu, and the National Coordinator, Comrade Gerald Katchy, which was dated August 29 and made available to NEPTUNE PRIME reads in parts:
“Dear, Mr Bichi.
“We sent a letter titled (RE; REQUEST FOR AUDIENCE IN CONNECTION TO THE CONTINUED DETENTION OF MR ABDURASHEED BAWA, THE SUSPENDED CHAIRMAN OF THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION (EFCC) dated on the 14th August, 2023, this letter is a reminder to our clarion request.
“We take cognizance of the fact that Mr. Bawa honored an invitation of your organization on the 14th June, 2023 and has since then been held incommunicado by your organization…”
According to Madam Vivian Bellonwu, the reminder gives the DSS a 7-days ultimatum which is due on September 6, 2023 to do the needful – charge Mr Bawa to the court of law, as it is illegal for any institution to pose as the judge on matters they lack certain jurisdictions over.
Recall that the suspended EFCC Chairman, Mr Bawa Abdulrasheed has been in the custody of the DSS since June 14, 2023.
The indefinite suspension was announced in a statement released on Wednesday (June 14, 2023) by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The statement was signed by Willie Bassey, Director of Information at the SGF’s office, and added that the EFCC boss’ suspension resulted from “weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against him,” hence, Mr Bawa’s suspension, was “to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.”
Notably, since Mr Bawa has been held incommunicado by the DSS, a coalition of civil society organisations – the pioneer of this movement – the Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT), along with the Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER), and other patriotic Nigerians like the human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, a renowned legal expert, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), et al have continued to call on the DSS over Mr Bawa’s detention.
Nonetheless, the INAHURAT group said they may consider legal action, protest and other available options towards the promotion of the rule of law and commitment to the rights of citizens along with ensuring that justice prevails in cases of those being held illegally and that of Mr Bawa by the DSS.
Attached is the detail of the INAHURAT reminder to the DG, DSS, Abuja.
Meanwhile, the INAHURAT organisation, thus, look forward to a useful interaction with the DG, DSS on these issues with a view to reaffirming the assurance and faith citizens have in the noble organisation they represent.