Connect with us


NEWS

Magu’s detention continues as panel quizzes EFCC chiefs

Published

on

Magu's detention continues as panel quizzes EFCC chiefs

The presidential panel investigating allegations of corruption levelled against the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, on Thursday quizzed the EFCC Secretary, Olanipekun Olukoyede, and some directors of the commission.

It was gathered that the EFCC officials were asked questions about the allegation of diversion of recovered funds levelled against Magu.

It was learnt that top officials of the EFCC were invited to either corroborate or fault some explanations Magu had made before the panel.

The suspended EFCC boss has been in the police detention since Monday when he was arrested in front of the old EFCC headquarters on Fomella Street, Wuse 2, Abuja and forced to appear before the presidential panel at its sitting in the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The suspended EFCC boss was subjected to several hours of interrogation on  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday by Justice Ayo Salami-led panel.

He was asked to respond to 22  allegations levelled against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), in his memo to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Besides alleged diversion of recovered loot, Magu was accused of selling or mysteriously releasing about 157 oil tankers seized in Port Harcourt without following due process.

Also, a report by the Auditor-General of the Federation last year alleged  that about N13.96bn recorded  as salaries and wages in the consolidated financial statement of the EFCC were not in the anti-graft agency’s trial balance submitted for reconciliation

Panel grills Magu for 12 hours

On Thursday, Magu spent 12 hours before the presidential panel.

After the interrogation, Magu was again driven back to the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Garki, where he spent the fourth night in police custody.

Magu arrived at the Aso Villa Banquet Hall as early as 9am according to his lawyer, Tosin Ojaomo.

The suspended EFCC boss was subsequently brought before the panel led by Salami, and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, FCID, Mike Ogbezi.

 

A source at the panel said the directors who were quizzed by the panel, absolved themselves of involvement  in funds diversion.

In a related development, fresh information indicated that the embattled former EFCC boss attempted to probe the National Security Adviser, Mohammed Monguno, for an alleged undisclosed financial crime.

A senior Ministry of Justice official said Magu did not seek the approval of the President and the supervising Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation.

The authorities were said to have got wind of Magu’s plan and immediately nicked it in the bud.

The source stated, “Apart from courting trouble by attempting to probe NSA Monguno, Magu was also disrespectful to the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who accused him of insubordination. This is why no one is pleading for him because his cup is full. His attempt to probe the NSA who was said to be instrumental to his appointment marked the genesis of his troubles.”

Meanwhile, a group of anti-corruption campaigners, Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution, on Thursday asked the anti-graft agency to immediately launch a thorough investigation into the relationship between Magu and a former senator, Buruji Kashamu.

Lawyer files application for Magu’s release

Speaking on plans to secure the release of his client, Magu’s lawyer  said he would submit  an application to the police authorities for his release.

He explained that he was unable to see his client on Thursday, despite waiting for hours at the Force Criminal Investigation Department,  Garki.

He said,”I just left the FCID now (8:30pm) having waited endlessly to see Magu, but they had not brought him back from the Presidential Villa. Tomorrow (today), I will file an application before the police authorities for his release,” he stated.

In another interview, he said,  “We are still trying to get him bailed. I was there early in the morning but I was told he had already been taken to the Villa. They have not shown us any remand order. However, I was told that he is being treated decently.

“The problem is that once he is taken from there (FCID) at about 8am, he remains with the panel till evening. The DIG is the one in charge as regards detention and he has the power to approve administrative bail. I have been trying to see him as regards Magu’s case.”

When asked about the status of Magu, Ojaomo responded, “He is in high spirits. I am confident that Magu will emerge victorious.”

The lawyer said he would return to the FCID by 8am on Friday to make a formal application for bail.

“On Friday I will make a formal application for bail.”

Ojaomo rubbished insinuations that Magu could be detained perpetually without a court order because he is a serving police officer.

“Our aim, for now, is just to get him out of there. Every Nigerian has a constitutional right to liberty. Even though what we hear these days is that the police can keep him because he is a senior officer, I do not subscribe to that. He ought to be treated like a Nigerian”, the lawyer said.

I love to read, write and TRAVEL!!! The media space is my canvas to paint the truths of our brands and the stories of our Nigerian culture. I love a good book any day because with them I can travel to spaces that are perfect in their frame.

Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending