The Department of State
Services (DSS) has debunked the story going
round that it
did not arrest Ibrahim MAGU, Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reported by sections of the media.
In
a statement signed by Peter Afunanya, Public Relations Officer, Department
of State Services, he said "The
Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to inform the public that it did not
arrest Ibrahim MAGU, Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) 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.”
Earlier today, it was in circulation that the Department of State Services
(DSS) has arrested the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu.
Menahwile, Magu’s
S.A. on Media, Tony Amokeodo, told journalist that the EFCC boss was
only invited to answer questions regarding the allegations against the agency.
According to him, Magu
was invited to appear before a panel of the Federal Government set up to
investigate the allegations of corruption leveled against him.
The EFCC boss’ media
aide said the panel is sitting at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in
Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
It was in the news that he was arrested over allegations that he owns four properties
and that he was allegedly transferring funds abroad through a third party.
He was arrested at the
Wuse II office of the DSS on Monday afternoon where he was undergoing
interrogation at the DSS Headquarters In Aso Drive.
The DSS in a 2016 report
revealed that accused 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment