The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, was reportedly arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Magu was reportedly arrested at the Wuse II office of the DSS on Monday July 6, during the afternoon hours. It was sad he is currently undergoing interrogation at the DSS Headquarters in Aso Drive.

According to the report by DSS in 2016, Magu was living in a N40m mansion.

“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.

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“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.

The story develops with the EFCC responding to the news, saying Ibrahim Magu had not been arrested, rather he was honouring a panel invitation, for interrogation.

Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesman, confirmed this in a statement, saying Magu honoured an invitation by a Presidential panel, which was reviewing activities of the EFCC at the Banquet Hall wing of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“He was servec invitation to the panel, while on his way to the Force Headquarters, Abuja for a meeting.

“The EFCC’s boss was neither arrested nor forced to honour the invitation. A member of a legal team from the EFCC is also with him on the panel,” the statement said.

Below are also some tweets from the EFCC’s official Twitter account, saying Magu was not arrested as previously reported.

In addition to this, DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya said in a statement: “The DSS wishes to inform the public that it did not arrest Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision as has been reported by sections of the media.

“The service, has since, today, 6th July, 2020, been inundated with enquiries over the alleged arrest.”

Ibrahim Magu has been in the acting position of EFCC Chairman, since the National Assembly twice refused to confirm his nomination.

We continue to wait on more information, as Ibrahim Magu is said to be facing a panel.

 

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