Bawa has received medical attention, back at his desk —EFCC

The Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC) says its Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has received medical attention after he broke down while presenting a brief address and was rushed out of the banquet hall at the presidential villa on Thursday.

EFCC Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, made this known in a statement titled, ‘Bawa Is Hale and Hearty – EFCC’.

He 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, felt unwell and had to return to his seat.

“He has since received medical attention and is due back at his desk.”

Bawa slumped while delivering a goodwill message at the above mentioned event.

He had suddenly stopped speaking and asked to be excused.

“Please, excuse me, I can’t continue,” he had said before he walked off the stage and slumped on his chair.

The EFCC boss, who was rushed out, had earlier mentioned that the EFCC was grieving the loss of a colleague.

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had in February 2021 named 41-year-old Bawa as the new EFCC chairman to replace Ibrahim Magu, who was suspended and probed alongside others for allegedly mismanaging funds of the commission, an allegation which he vehemently denied.

In the past, ministers and other government officials have slumped at public functions and hurriedly rushed out of such gatherings.

In July 2021, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mariam Katagum, slumped at an official event in Bauchi State and was rushed away for medical attention.

Exactly a year before then in July 2020, the acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Kemebradikumo Pondei, fainted during an investigative hearing at the National Assembly.

In November 2020, an Aide-de-Camp to Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, collapsed during the governor’s second-term inauguration at the Tennis Court of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, the state capital.

Also, in September 2016, the then Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Alhassan slumped at the Internally Displaced Persons’ camp in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State.