No One Is Above The Law — Presidency
The presidency on Tuesday declared that the ongoing probe of the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) is an affirmation that nobody serving under the present administration is above scrutiny or the long arms of the law.
A reliable source told newsmen that the interrogation of the anti-graft boss is to give him the opportunity to clear himself of weightyallegations leveled against his person.
Magu, who is the acting Chairman of the Economic and FinancialCrimes Commission (EFCC) was arrested by the Department ofState Services. He was arrested on his way to the Wuse II office ofthe DSS on Monday afternoon and is now undergoing interrogationat the DSS Headquarters In Aso Drive.
Addressing the issue, the source said: “The panel investigating allegations against Ag. EFCC Chairman had been sitting for some weeks now. In consonance with the principle of fairness and justice, it was needful that the Ag. Chairman be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations, which are weighty in nature.
Under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, nobody is above scrutiny. IRepeat: nobody.
The investigation is to reinforce transparency and accountability, rather than to violate it. Accountability for our actions or inactions is an inalienable part of democracy.
In such an elevated position as that of EFCC Chairman, the holder of the position must be above suspicion. There’s no prejudgment. Absolutely none. The Buhari administration can be counted on to uphold fairness and justice at all times. “
The news of the arrest filtered news platforms and Social Media early on monday morning with surprise.
The arrest came in the heels of the crack down on government officials who have been embroiled in one corruption charge or the other. While some say the arrest has a political undertone, some said it is a good sign that the government is not partisan.
Digging deeper, it was discovered that the DSS in a 2016 report revealed that Magu was living in a N40m mansion which was beyond his capable means as a public servant amongst other things they found off and extremely suspicious in the lifestyle of Magu. The report 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 on questionable grounds of his business dealings and corruption charges. 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 same 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” who has also come under scrutiny on grounds of gross mismanagement of public funds.
It is worthy to note that the supposed syndicate or cabal of corrupt individuals might actually exist with the links of corruption charges connecting several government officials to each other.
Ibrahim Magu, born on the 5th of May 1962, is a Nigerian police officer who served as acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC from 9 November 2015, until his suspension on 7 July 2020.
He joined the Nigeria Police Force as an Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1990 having resigned his former job.
He was the Coordinator, Nigeria Police Building Society before moving on to Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) where he served as a team leader in charge of Financial Crimes, Money Laundering and Advance Fee Fraud investigation.
On 4 August 2008, he was arrested following allegations that police discovered EFCC files and a computer containing classified documents at his Abuja residence.
He served a member of the investigative committee convened by National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno on the orders of President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the procurement of arms in the Armed Forces from 2007 to 2020.
Since his appointment, Magu remained unconfirmed as the Chairman of EFFC which is one of the challenges and controversies being faced by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on appointments and nominations confirmation.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Friday, 28th April 2018 announced the promotion of 18 senior officers after her 27th Plenary Meeting which ended in Abuja where Magu was promoted to the rank of a full commissioner from deputy commissioner.
On the 9th of November 2015, he was appointed the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC by president Muhammadu Buhari but was rejected by the house of assembly who believe his career is too marred to chair the anti graft agency but the president brought him in using veto power.
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