Babachir Lawal criticises prolonged detention of Emefiele, Bawa

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the prolonged detention of the immediate past Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, and the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, without trial.

Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was not from the ranks and files of the Nigerian police, was taken into custody by the Department of State Services on June 14, shortly after being suspended by the president.

On the other hand, Godwin Emefiele was apprehended at his Lagos home on June 9. The extended detention of both individuals has prompted questions, leading to protests by human rights groups and activists urging the Department of State Services to bring charges against them.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Babachir expressed the view that people have the right to demand a Nigeria that upholds freedom of speech and human rights for all.

He added, “If Bola Tinubu claims he fought Abacha on the side of democracy and free speech, it is unbecoming and unacceptable that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) should threaten journalists under his watch. It is indefensible to keep the EFCC Chairman and the CBN governor under arrest for extended periods of time without trial, just as it is also unacceptable that political parties are used to intimidate and harass citizens expressing their opinions in the public domain.”