Magu taken for ‘questioning’, DSS denies involvement

Security operatives have whisked away Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for questioning by a presidential panel probing the agency.

The panel is currently sitting at the presidential villa in Abuja.

TheCable initially reported that he was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) but the secret police issued a statement to deny any involvement.

However, TheCable understands that DSS officials were involved in the operation, along with officers of the Nigeria police force.

The anti-graft agency also issued a statement saying that Magu went to honour an invitation by the presidential panel.

“The EFCC’s boss was neither arrested nor forced to honour the invitation.  A member of a legal team from the EFCC is also with him on the Panel,” Dele Oyewale, head of media and publicity, said.

The development comes a few days after Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), accused the anti-graft czar of gross infractions.

The AGF asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack Magu over some “weighty” allegations, including the diversion of recovered loot.

In addition to allegedly re-looting the recovered loot, Malami accused the acting EFCC chairman of insubordination and misconduct.

In 2016, the senate declined to confirm the appointment of Magu as EFCC chairman after a DSS report indicted him of corruption.

The report read: “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.”

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect DSS’s denial of involvement in Magu’s arrest and EFCC statement on the development.