AFTER the nomination, controversy, and the confirmation of a new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, Nigerians should interrogate President Bola Tinubu over the continued detention of his predecessor, Abdulrasheed Bawa. Detained since mid-June, the former anti-graft czar has remained incommunicado, and without trial. Tinubu is displaying contempt for the law as exemplified by his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari. He should chart a different course, and either release Bawa or prosecute him in court if he is found culpable of any crime.

Tinubu disappoints. Unlike Buhari who has a military background, he first came into public prominence as proponent of democracy. He was a leading operative in the struggle against military rule, including suffering persecution and exile. Besides, he constantly proclaims himself as a democrat and a “leader of democrats.”

But in office, he is assaulting the law. Instead of replacing the leadership of the Department of State Services that was Buhari’s chief instrument in violating civil rights, and ignoring court orders, Tinubu is backing its impunity.

The law is clear: the 1999 Constitution guarantees the right of every Nigerian to personal liberty. No one should be detained for more than a specified period without trial. Bawa has been held for weeks by the DSS, from which detention he reportedly resigned.


Tinubu had suspended Bawa over alleged abuse of office and “to allow for a proper investigation into his conduct while in office” on June 14, 2023. That is the proper procedure. The ex-EFCC chief was subsequently grilled by the DSS. But apart from recent leaked stories of alleged misdeeds, there has been no official word.

He is not the only one being denied freedom. The former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, was also detained and later charged with illegal possession of firearms and granted bail. But DSS agents re-arrested him within the court premises before he could perfect the bail process. Like Bawa, he also resigned while in captivity.

Nnamdi Kanu, the ‘Biafran’ separatist agitator, has been granted bail, but is being denied freedom. Though Kanu’s case is a holdover from the previous government, Tinubu, the avowed democrat, and the Attorney-General, Lateef Fagbemi, have not moved to undo the lawlessness they inherited.


The rule of law is critical for the advancement of democracy, declares the Rule of Law Alliance, and is one of its cornerstones. Nigeria’s leaders should deepen democracy by respecting the law. Those who commit or are accused of crimes should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.

Bawa’s case is a cautionary tale for public office holders. Those who violate the rule of law today may also face tyranny when they are out of office and power. While he held sway as EFCC boss, he was cited several times for prolonged detention of suspects and multiple times for disobeying court orders. Emefiele treated a Supreme Court order with contempt, ignoring its ruling on the controversial naira note reissuance. Today, both men are at the receiving end. But multiple wrongs do not justify more of the same.

Allegations have been levelled; the responsibility of the state and its agencies is to investigate arrest and prosecute offenders, but always in accordance with the law.

Fagbemi should deliver on his promise to accord respect to the rule of law always. For him and Tinubu, Bawa and others being held in defiance of fealty to the law are test cases. They should arraign them in court immediately or release them.

https://punchng.com/author/peditorial/?amp

I still maintain that it's a travesty to suspend someone you don't have the unilateral powers to remove.
The Efcc and CBN heads can't be removed by presidential fiat. The reason for this is to guarantee the autonomy of those offices. So how come the president can "suspend" them.
It is this abuse that has led to subjugation of critical arms of govt including the Judiciary.
Someone needs to test the law in this regard and get judicial interpretation which I'm sure will establish the illegality of those suspension

Bobloco:


AFTER the nomination, controversy, and the confirmation of a new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, Nigerians should interrogate President Bola Tinubu over the continued detention of his predecessor, Abdulrasheed Bawa. Detained since mid-June, the former anti-graft czar has remained incommunicado, and without trial. Tinubu is displaying contempt for the law as exemplified by his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari. He should chart a different course, and either release Bawa or prosecute him in court if he is found culpable of any crime.

Tinubu disappoints. Unlike Buhari who has a military background, he first came into public prominence as proponent of democracy. He was a leading operative in the struggle against military rule, including suffering persecution and exile. Besides, he constantly proclaims himself as a democrat and a “leader of democrats.”

But in office, he is assaulting the law. Instead of replacing the leadership of the Department of State Services that was Buhari’s chief instrument in violating civil rights, and ignoring court orders, Tinubu is backing its impunity.

The law is clear: the 1999 Constitution guarantees the right of every Nigerian to personal liberty. No one should be detained for more than a specified period without trial. Bawa has been held for weeks by the DSS, from which detention he reportedly resigned.


Tinubu had suspended Bawa over alleged abuse of office and “to allow for a proper investigation into his conduct while in office” on June 14, 2023. That is the proper procedure. The ex-EFCC chief was subsequently grilled by the DSS. But apart from recent leaked stories of alleged misdeeds, there has been no official word.

He is not the only one being denied freedom. The former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, was also detained and later charged with illegal possession of firearms and granted bail. But DSS agents re-arrested him within the court premises before he could perfect the bail process. Like Bawa, he also resigned while in captivity.

Nnamdi Kanu, the ‘Biafran’ separatist agitator, has been granted bail, but is being denied freedom. Though Kanu’s case is a holdover from the previous government, Tinubu, the avowed democrat, and the Attorney-General, Lateef Fagbemi, have not moved to undo the lawlessness they inherited.


The rule of law is critical for the advancement of democracy, declares the Rule of Law Alliance, and is one of its cornerstones. Nigeria’s leaders should deepen democracy by respecting the law. Those who commit or are accused of crimes should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.

Bawa’s case is a cautionary tale for public office holders. Those who violate the rule of law today may also face tyranny when they are out of office and power. While he held sway as EFCC boss, he was cited several times for prolonged detention of suspects and multiple times for disobeying court orders. Emefiele treated a Supreme Court order with contempt, ignoring its ruling on the controversial naira note reissuance. Today, both men are at the receiving end. But multiple wrongs do not justify more of the same.

Allegations have been levelled; the responsibility of the state and its agencies is to investigate arrest and prosecute offenders, but always in accordance with the law.

Fagbemi should deliver on his promise to accord respect to the rule of law always. For him and Tinubu, Bawa and others being held in defiance of fealty to the law are test cases. They should arraign them in court immediately or release them.

https://punchng.com/author/peditorial/?amp

The punch editorial board post that led to the release of Bawa

The first thing Tinubu did as president was to raid EFCC and then later arrest it's chairman. Typical of a criminal gang, when they take over a town, they first attack prisons to free their members.

BafanaBafana:
The first thing Tinubu did as president was to raid EFCC and then later arrest it's chairman. Typical of a criminal gang, when they take over a town, they first attack prisons to free their members.

True

Ok

BafanaBafana:
The first thing Tinubu did as president was to raid EFCC and then later arrest it's chairman. Typical of a criminal gang, when they take over a town, they first attack prisons to free their members.

If Tinubu had not "raided" EFCC and had not arrested its chairman, wouldn't EFCC still do his bidding? Kid

Who is the someone are you a ghost 👻 ?why not test it.

Kukutente23:
I still maintain that it's a travesty to suspend someone you don't have the unilateral powers to remove.
The Efcc and CBN heads can't be removed by presidential fiat. The reason for this is to guarantee the autonomy of those offices. So how come the president can "suspend" them.
It is this abuse that has led to subjugation of critical arms of govt including the Judiciary.
Someone needs to test the law in this regard and get judicial interpretation which I'm sure will establish the illegality of those suspension

maasoap:

If Tinubu had not "raided" EFCC and had not arrested its chairman, wouldn't EFCC still do his bidding? Kid

Like Tinubu could have just asked the EFCC chairman to hand over all incriminating documents they have about him and his people? Is that how adults reason in your family?

I have no pity for Emefailure and Bawa; they both disregarded court orders, they had no regard for the rule of law... forgetting that karma is a biach

BafanaBafana:

Like Tinubu could have just asked the EFCC chairman to hand over all incriminating documents they have about him and his people? Is that how adults reason in your family?

I don't know how your papa and mama reason, but all I know is that your reasoning has flaws.

maasoap:

I don't know how your papa and mama reason, but all I know is that your reasoning has flaws.

Go read for jamb abeg