Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has asked the State Security Service (SSS) to hasten the investigation into allegations against the suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrashed Bawa, and Godwin Emefiele of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

While featuring on a Channels TV programme on Friday, Mr Falana urged the secret police to charge Messrs Bawa and Emefiele to court rather than keep them in detention. 

The renowned lawyer recalled that the SSS had, in 2022, accused Mr Emefiele of financing terrorism.

“Please, quickly do something about that. With respect to money laundering and other offences, take them to the appropriate agencies of government,” Mr Falana appealed.

He added, “In the case of Mr Bawa, we haven’t been told of the offences he committed. I cannot speak very confidently with respect to the gentleman except to ask the government or the agencies involved to speed up an investigation and have them arraigned if they are indicted.”

Mr Falana noted that the continued detention of Messrs Emefiele and Bawa did not reflect the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. 

“Investigations should be speedily conducted, more so where allegations are made. I do not expect any delay in the investigation of the very serious allegation that has been made,” he stated.

Mr Emefiele was suspended as the CBN governor last month and was subsequently arrested by the secret police.

Although a statement by President Bola Tinubu said the suspension was sequel to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector, it came at a time Nigerians still grappled with the effect of the naira redesign policy implemented by Mr Emefiele when Nigeria prepared for the 2023 general election. 

Also, Mr Tinubu approved the indefinite suspension of Mr Bawa, saying the action was to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.

Frontline anti-corruption groups and civil society organisations numbering over 200 had recently staged a protest in Lagos, demanding Mr Bawa’s sack over alleged politicisation of the commission, disobedience of court orders and infringement of Nigerians’ rights.

In 2020, Peoples Gazette exclusively detailed how Mr Bawa stole and sold dozens of petrol-bearing trucks confiscated from suspected looters, auctioning them off to his proxies at ridiculous prices while he was in charge of the Port Harcourt office of the commission.