By Sahelian Times
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has assured Nigerians and the international community that Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, Chairman of the EFCC, was in good health and would soon return to his desk for normal official duties.
There was anxiety in Nigeria and around the world on Thursday following the sudden slump of the EFCC chairman while making a speech at an event at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Nigeria’s seat of power in Abuja.
Bawa was immediately rushed out of the venue for proper medical attention outside the presidential villa.
However, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, later on Thursday, said in a statement in Abuja that there was no cause for alarm as the EFCC Chairman, Bawa, was not only in stable condition but was “hale and hearty”.
The statement by the Commission’s spokesman said, “The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Commission, (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, is hale and hearty.
“This clarification became necessary following an incident today, September 16, 2021 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja where he was giving a goodwill message to the National Identity Day celebration (when the Chairman) felt unwell and had to return to his seat.
“He has since received medical attention and is due back at his desk.”
Sahellian Times had earlier in the day reported that the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, slumped during an event at the Banquet Hall of the State House in the Presidential Villa.
Bawa was on his feet presenting a goodwill message at the event, which was organised by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as part of activities to celebrate the National Identity Day, when he suddenly put his right palm on his face, saying he could not continue his speech.
He was consequently helped back to his seat but had to be rushed out of the hall and the Presidential Villa for necessary medical treatment.
Nevertheless, as soon as he took the podium, Bawa had indicated that his address would have been a fairly long one in view of the importance of National Digital Identity programme in Nigeria, saying he would however cut short the address in respect of the death in Ibadan, Oyo State, of a senior staff of the EFCC.
He then disclosed that he would be heading to Ibadan as soon as the event in Abuja was concluded.
Before he abruptly halted the address, the EFCC chairman harped on the importance of the National Identity, saying that “it is significant” to the operations of the EFCC.
He said, “For instance, there was a young man arrested in Ibadan with 116 SIM cards….”, but then signalled his inability to continue.
At that point, the country’s anti-graft Tzar became clearly emotionally disturbed, actually sobbing before spurting out, “Let me stop here.”
He soon lost control and broke down as he descended from the podium and returned to his seat only to slump from the seat.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami and the organisers immediately put the event on hold as the EFCC chairman was rushed out ostensibly for prompt medical attention.
The event’s master of compére (MC) later announced that “the EFCC Chairman has stabilised and he is doing ok.”