The previous four bosses of Nigeria’s anti-corruption unit have also been involved in controversies leading to their removal.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has indefinitely suspended the head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Unit, Abdulrasheed Bawa, for abuse of office.
The suspension was due to “grievous allegations of abuse of office” against Bawa, a statement from the presidency said late Wednesday.
The move came a week after the president suspended the governor of the country’s central bank, Godwin Emefiele.
Local media has reported that Bawa is currently being questioned by Nigeria’s secret police, as is Emefiele.
A spokesman for the unit, known officially as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), did not immediately respond to calls for comment.
Established 20 years ago, the EFCC investigates and prosecutes financial crimes, including money laundering and corruption.
Bawa, the fifth head of the anti-graft commission, was appointed in 2021 after the Senate refused to approve the reappointment of his predecessor Ibrahim Magu, who had served for four years.
Previous residents of the office have also been involved in controversies that ultimately led to their removal; Magu was also suspended by then President Muhammadu Buhari over corruption charges.