IGP rejects Magu’s request for bail, directs him to presidential panel

Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of the police (IGP), has asked Ibrahim Magu, suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to direct his bail application to the presidential panel.

Oluwatosin Ojaomo, Magu’s legal representative, asked the IGP to grant bail to his client on “self recognisance” — after the suspended EFCC chief had spent four days in custody.

Magu was arrested on July 6 and whisked to the presidential villa in Abuja where he was grilled by the panel headed by Ayo Salami, a retired president of the appeal court.

He was later moved to Area 10 force criminal investigation department (FCID) of the police in Abuja where he has since been detained.

He is being probed for alleged gross misconduct. He was alleged to have mishandled the recovered loot and sold seized assets to his associates.

In a letter dated July 14, 2020, and addressed to Ojaomo, the IGP said the police force is not investigating and detaining Magu, so, it cannot grant the bail request.

The letter, signed by Idowu Owohunwa, principal staff officer to the IGP, advised the lawyer to redirect his request to the chairman of the presidential panel for appropriate attention.

“The Inspector-General of Police directs that your attention be drawn to the fact that the Nigeria Police Force is not investigating CP Ibrahim Magu (your client), and he is accordingly, not being detained by the Police but by the Presidential Panel that is investigating the activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),” the letter read.

“The Inspector-General of Police, therefore, advises that you reconsider directing your request to the Chairman of the Presidential Panel for appropriate attention.

“I am to convey the assurances of the warmest regards of the Inspector General of Police, please.”

A report by the presidential panel accused Magu of turning the EFCC into a “glorified police station” for alleged selfish motives.

According to the report, Magu seconded police officers to the EFCC in spite of the massive recruitment of officers and men carried out by the commission in recent years.