The suspended Chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, allegedly spent $300k on his wife, children, and family members while staying in a hotel in Mecca for ten days.
A Civil Society Organisation in a viral video obtained by The Quest Times raised questions about how Mr. Bawa could afford such an outrageous sum without raising suspicion.
The National Coordinator of the Civil Society Group, Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, challenged Bawa, to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the sources of funds that facilitated his accommodation during the lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
Uwejeyan said, “We implore you to prioritize the greater good of the Nigerian people over any undue influence or personal agenda that may compromise the pivotal role of the EFCC in combating corruption.
“The EFCC, as an institution charged with the responsibility of combating economic and financial crimes, plays a crucial role in our society. Reports indicate that he secured six opulent rooms at the Hilton Hotel in Mecca, and similarly resided in Sheraton in Jeddah, incurring a staggering expenditure nearing $300,000.
“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, Mr. Bawa owes the Nigerian public and the Senate a detailed account of the origin of these substantial funds.
The group also called on relevant stakeholders, civil society organizations, and the Nigerian public to support this call for Mr. Bawa to step aside and for a thorough investigation into the series of allegations levelled against him.
It could be recalled that President Bola Tinubu suspended Mr. Bawa due to “weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.”
In a swift reaction few hours after Mr Bawa was suspended the the Department of Security Service (DSS) invited him to their Abuja office.
While confirming the story of the invitation the spokesperson of the secret police Peter Afunanya on Wednesday said that “the invitation relates to some investigative activities concerning him.”
According to the spokesperson, Afunanya arrived on Wednesday at the DSS headquarters at about 10: 48 pm.
It could be recalled that Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, alleged that Bawa demanded the sum of $2million from him as a bribe to stop the probe.
However, the EFCC boss has since denied the allegations by Matawalle.