EFCC boss faces trial on 24 allegations of corruption

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Presidential Panel set up by President Mohammadu Buhari had on Monday quizzed Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, for six hours on over 24 corruption allegations.

The panel inaugurated about a week ago brought Magu to questioning on allegations levelled against him most of which emanated from a report by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and a DSS report which was submitted to the Senate in 2016 and 2017.

The panel sitting at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, has a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami (rtd.), about seven other members including the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Mike Ogbizi.

Malami, Salami & Magu

The panel also have representatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the DSS and other related agencies.

However, Magu, who was allowed to leave after about six hours, having been accosted earlier by security agents in plain clothes in front of the old EFCC headquarters on Fomella Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, around 12noon on Monday, to the panel against his request to appear on a later date.

Magu was accused of living above his means, fraternising with corrupt persons, diversion of recovered funds and many others.

He was aldo grilled over missing funds, discrepancies in recovered funds, other financial improprieties and disrespect to lawful authority.

The financial crimes agency boss it was learnt, was allowed to leave after about six hours and may be asked to return to make further clarifications.

Indications are rife that he may be asked to step down pending the outcome of investigation.

It was learnt that the usual procedure is that when one is facing an investigation of this nature, he would be advised to step down.

The source said, “This is because the EFCC is the face of this government’s anti-corruption crusade and keeping Magu there amid this investigation could present a moral challenge.

“I understand that he has been advised to hand over to the next most senior director but he is being adamant,” the source hinted.