Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar has debunked a claim made by former presidential spokesman, Olusegun Adeniyi that officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) searched his home in Minna, Niger State.
Adeniyi, who was Special Adviser on Media to late President Umar Yar’Adua, made the claim in his recent op-ed titled, “Magu and the Abuja Power Game“.
In the widely-discussed opinion piece, Adeniyi stated that the downfall of the suspended EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu was connected to his clash with some powerful people, including Abdulsalami.
But in a statement by his spokesman, Capt. J. Mfon (rtd), the former Head of State denied any clash with Magu or the EFCC, stressing that his home was never searched by personnel of the anti-graft agency.
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The statement read, “The attention of His Excellency General A A A Abubakar has been drawn to reports that the EFCC searched his house in Minna, Niger State, on the orders of its Acting Chairman, CP Ibrahim Magu, and he feels the need to put the record straight.
“His house has never been searched by either the EFCC or any other security agency.
“However, sometime in 2017, operatives of the commission from Kano zone came to Minna to search a house in Tunga. The team ended up at His Excellency’s guest house in Minna and told the security officers on duty that they had instructions from their zonal head to search the property.
“The officers said since the numbering of houses in Tunga was haphazard, it must be a case of mistaken identity. When CP Magu was contacted, he said he was not aware of the operation. Thereafter, the EFCC team from Kano left.
“His Excellency’s understanding is that they realised they came to the wrong address. However, no search was conducted in the guest house.
“His Excellency, as a rule does not comment on media publications directed at or concerning him. He has taken this step in view of the reactions these reports are generating.
“His Excellency felt the need to provide this important clarification due to the ongoing media frenzy insinuating His Excellency’s role in Magu’s issue.”