“Fuel Subsidy Was a Scam Benefiting Everyone, Including Law Enforcement” — Ex-EFCC Chair Bawa
Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has revealed that law enforcement agencies were among the beneficiaries of Nigeria’s massive petrol subsidy fraud, which cost the nation $450 million between 2006 and 2012.
In his newly released book, The Shadow of Loot & Losses: Uncovering Nigeria’s Petroleum Subsidy Fraud, Bawa sheds light on the extent of corruption that plagued the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) scheme during that period. He disclosed that although some of the indicted oil marketers were successfully prosecuted and jailed, roughly 80% of the looted funds have since been recovered.
Speaking on, a programme, Bawa said that corruption was widespread and that law enforcement personnel were not immune.
“Everybody was benefitting from the scale and the scam, including law enforcement,” he stated.
“People can be compromised in such a way that they will look the other way. It’s a general thing.”
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Bawa also addressed international skepticism about Nigeria’s asset recovery efforts, particularly the recurring accusation of “relooting the loot”—a phrase that refers to the mismanagement or diversion of funds recovered from corrupt individuals.
He argued that Nigeria must resist being defined by external perceptions and challenge these narratives.
“Nigeria should be able to challenge the international community that is always thinking negatively about our country,” Bawa said.
“This idea of ‘relooting the loot’ shouldn’t be discussed against us as a country. Nigerians and non-Nigerians should have the ability to trust our leaders.”
He further expressed concern that many Nigerians have internalised these negative portrayals, treating them as fact rather than questioning their validity.
On the issue of EFCC chairmen often leaving office under a cloud of suspicion or investigation, Bawa acknowledged the pattern but rejected the idea that it was always politically motivated.
“It’s just a phase that has to come and go,” he said.
“People always talk. Whether you’re telling the truth or not, people will say something.”
Abdulrasheed Bawa served as EFCC Chairman from 2021 to 2023.
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