Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has alleged that law enforcement agencies were among the beneficiaries of the massive fraud associated with Nigeria’s now-defunct petrol subsidy regime.
The revelation is contained in Bawa’s newly released book, where he claims that between 2006 and 2012, Nigeria lost an estimated $450 million to subsidy-related fraud.
According to Bawa, several oil marketers implicated during the period were prosecuted and convicted, with about 80% of the stolen funds recovered. However, he pointed out that the web of corruption extended far beyond corporate and political actors.
“Everybody was benefitting from the scale and the scam, including law enforcement,” Bawa said in an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time. “People can be compromised in such a way that they will look the other way. It’s a general thing.”
He also addressed what he described as an unfair international narrative surrounding Nigeria’s handling of recovered assets—often referred to as “relooting the loot.” Bawa urged both the Nigerian government and the public to reject such portrayals.
“Nigeria should be able to challenge the international community that is always thinking negatively about our country,” he said. “This idea of relooting the loot shouldn’t define us. People should have trust in our leaders.”
Bawa criticized the tendency of Nigerians to internalize negative foreign perceptions without critical thought, warning that it undermines national self-confidence. “It has now become like a norm among us Nigerians to accept whatever the international community says about us,” he added.
Responding to questions about the pattern of EFCC chairpersons exiting office amid controversy, Bawa rejected claims of political witch-hunts. He said such speculation is common, regardless of the truth.
“It’s just a phase that has to come and go. People will always talk—whether you’re right or wrong,” he stated.
Abdulrasheed Bawa served as EFCC Chairman from 2021 until his suspension in 2023.
