Bawa's father refuses us to file legal action against FG - lawyer

The embattled suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, is still in jail because his father warned his lawyers not to file a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the federal government.

According to a report by Nation Newspaper, a lawyer representing Bawa who spoke on condition of anonymity said they are under a strict instruction from the father of the EFCC boss not to file any action against the federal government.

“We would have filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit by now. You recall that the young man has been in custody for months now, with the government failing to charge him to court,” the lawyer said.

The lawyer added: “We have been handicapped by the directive of his father who asked us not to go to court on his behalf.

“The father said he believes his son will be released when God dictates and that there was no need to sue the government.”

This is even as the federal government has directed Bawa should be allowed access to his lawyers and family members.

The newspaper, quoting a source in the DSS, said Bawa has refused to cooperate with investigators. “The young man has refused to cooperate with investigators. He has refused to answer questions. He has also declined to make statements. We understand it is within his right to either volunteer or decline. I think options are currently being weighed on what next measures to be adopted.”