By PAUL ADAJI, Abuja –
The Department of State Services (DSS), said Monday evening it did not arrest the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFC), Ibrahim Magu, who was widely reported to have been held by the secret service over alleged money laundering and other fraudulent acts.
In a statement by its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, the DSS aknowledged receipt of enquiries, particularly from the media, over the reported arrest of the EFCC boss.
“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,” said the statement captioned ‘Magu, Not Arrested By DSS.’
Amid the controversy, a report by Everyday.ng however suggested Magu may actually have gone to tell his side of the story to a Presidential panel set up to investigate some allegations levelled against him.
In a report published two weeks ago, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), had recommended to President Muhammadu Buhari the sacking of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu.
Malami, in a memorandum to the president, anchored his recommendation on several grounds “raging from diversion of recovered loot to insubordination and misconduct” by Magu.
According to a report by Sahara Reporters, the DSS in a 2016 report revealed that 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.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) had indicted Magu of graft in a damaging memo he sent to the President seeking his sack and replacement.
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.
It was learnt that 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.
The last Senate, under the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki, had twice refused to confirm the appointment of Ibrahim Magu as substantive Chairman of the EFCC. He has, thus, been functioning in acting capacity since his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari about six years ago.
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