President Mohammadu Buhari has suspended Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
Sources at the Presidency who spoke The Punch disclosed that it would be wrong to keep Magu in office while he remains a person of interest in an ongoing investigation.
The source said, “It is commonsensical that when an investigation of this nature is ongoing, you don’t allow the person being investigated to keep the keys of the office for which he is being investigated.
“This is because if he keeps the keys, there can be a kind of tampering with documents or evidence.
“It is not logical and it is even undemocratic to allow such to happen.”
It would be recalled that Magu was reportedly arrested by operatives of Department of State Services (DSS) on allegations of obtaining four real estate properties and illegal transfer of funds abroad through third parties.
Reports say the arrest is based on a 2016 DSS report that the acting Chairman was occupying a N40 million mansion paid for by a retired Air Commodore, Umar Mohammed said to be also involved in dirty deals.
Excerpts from the report as released at the time read;
“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.”