HURIWA to Tinubu, DSS: Tell Nigerians Why You Detained Bawa for Months
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
In light of the recent revelation that the Department of State Security (DSS) has released the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised critical questions about democracy and transparency in Nigeria.
HURIWA in a statement demanded full disclosure from both President Bola Tinubu and the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Bawa’s arrest, detention, and subsequent release.
“The sequence of events surrounding Bawa’s detention is bewildering. The DSS arrested him in a manner akin to Gestapo tactics on June 14, detaining him for an extended period without filing any charges.
“ The Nigerian public must be informed about the reasons behind this inexcusable and unjustified detention. In the name of democracy, transparency, and accountability, we insist that the truth must come to light,” HURIWA said.
National Coordinator of the group, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said that Bawa’s release had occurred under a cloud of suspicion and secrecy.
“It is important to note that Bawa resigned from his position while still in detention. This fact raises questions about the circumstances leading to his resignation.
“The people of Nigeria deserve to know whether this resignation was voluntary or coerced, highlighting the potential abuse of power.
“Therefore, the hasty and covert nature of Bawa’s arrest, detention, and subsequent release necessitates a comprehensive explanation from the DSS and President Tinubu.
“As a democratic nation, it is essential that government agencies, particularly those responsible for upholding the rule of law, operate with the highest standards of transparency and accountability, “the group stated..
The civil rights group said that it was deeply concerned about the implications of such actions on the democratic fabric of the nation and the trust of the Nigerian people in their government.
HURIWA implored the government to uphold the values of democracy, transparency, and accountability in all its actions, as they remain the cornerstones upon which Nigeria was founded.
