The Department of State Services (DSS) has come under fire from the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) for keeping Abdulrasheed Bawa, the EFCC’s suspended chairman, in custody.
Remember that the DSS had taken Bawa into custody since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had suspended him on June 14?
The head of the anti-corruption agency that was put on suspension has remained in the secret police’s custody pending trial or arraignment.
UPDATE: IGP Ordered By Court To Arrest, Detain EFCC Chairman, Bawa
HURIWA said that the DSS was acting in a dictatorial manner in a statement that was signed by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko.
According to the group, President Tinubu’s administration is enacting “potential fascism and a full-blown dictatorship” through Bawa’s extended detention.
“Abdulrasheed Bawa was taken into custody by the DSS just hours after his suspension by President Tinubu. To date, the DSS has remained silent on the precise allegations, the status of the investigation, and whether charges will be filed in court,” it said.
Onwubiko pointed out that Bawa’s constitutional fundamental rights were being violated by the DSS and President Tinubu’s administration, whose control the secret service operates, by failing to bring formal charges against him and keeping him detained for an extended period of time without access to his family or attorneys.
REVEALED: Why Bola Tinubu Suspended EFCC Chairman, Bawa
The group demanded the immediate release of Bawa while issuing a warning against willful disregard for the law and global best practises.
The statement further reads, “Hence, in light of these troubling developments, HURIWA called for the immediate and unconditional release of Abdulrasheed Bawa. The organization firmly believes that the continued detention without formal charges or access to legal representation violates the principles of justice, democracy, and human rights that Nigeria should uphold as a responsible member of the global community.
“The foremost civil rights advocacy group underscored the urgent need for all relevant authorities to respect the rule of law, due process, and the protection of fundamental rights just as it urged the Nigerian government to address these allegations promptly and transparently, ensuring that no individual is subjected to arbitrary or unlawful detention under any circumstance.
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“We call upon the international community to closely monitor the developments in Nigeria and lend their support in safeguarding democratic values and human rights in our country. Together, we must stand against any actions that threaten the democratic fabric and jeopardize the well-being of Nigerian citizens.”
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