Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has been arrested by the Department of
State Services (DSS) over allegations that he owns four properties and that he
was allegedly transferring funds abroad through a third party.
Mr. Magu was taken to the Presidential Villa by security
officials for questioning by the panel President Muhammadu Buhari set up to
investigate him following Mr. Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General’s memo to
the President, which indicted him for graft and abuse of office.
THEWILL recalls that the DSS had in a 2016
report accused Magu of living in a N40m mansion paid for by one Umar Mohammed,
a retired air commodore who is allegedly involved in shady deals.
“In December 2010, the Police Service
Commission (PSC) found Magu guilty of action prejudicial to state security –
withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorised removal of EFCC files and
acts unbecoming of a police officer, and awarded him severe reprimand as
punishment.
“Magu is currently occupying a residence
rented for N40m at N20m per annum. This accommodation was not paid [for] from
the commission’s finances, but by one Umar Mohammed, air commodore retired, a
questionable businessman who has subsequently been arrested by the secret
service.
“For the furnishing of the residence, Magu
enlisted the Federal Capital Development Authority to award a contract to
Africa Energy, a company owned by the same Mohammed, to furnish the residence
at the cost of N43m.
“Investigations show that the acting EFCC
chairman regularly embarked on official and private trips through a private jet
owned by Mohammed.
“In one of such trips, Magu flew to Maiduguri
alongside Mohammed with a bank MD who was being investigated by the EFCC over
complicity in funds allegedly stolen by the immediate past petroleum minister,
Diezani Alison-Madueke.
“Furthermore, the EFCC boss has so far
maintained a high-profile lifestyle. This is exemplified by his preference for
first-class air travels. On 24 June, 2016, he flew Emirate airlines first-class
to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj at the cost of N2.9m. This is in spite
of Mr President’s directive to all public servants to fly economy class.
“Magu has fostered a beneficial relationship
with Mohammed who by his confession approaches clients for possible
exploitation, favours and associated returns,” the DSS report said.
Magu is yet to be confirmed as the
substantive chairman of the EFCC despite occupying the position in acting
capacity for many years.
Attempts by the President to get him
confirmed were rebuffed by the previous National Assembly.
THEWILL had exclusively reported that
President Muhammadu Buhari is set to name a replacement for Magu.
Mr. Magu’s spokesman, Tony Amokedo however
told the media that the EFCC boss was invited for questioning and not arrested.
The DSS spokesman, Peter Afunaya did not
respond to calls.
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