The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, was, on Monday, arrested by security operatives and whisked to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The arrest of Nigeria’s anti-graft boss was believed to have been effected by men of Department of State Services (DSS), Monday afternoon, at the Wuse II, Abuja office of the EFCC, over an alleged conversion of money recovered by the commission from suspected looters into his personal use.
He was stopped in traffic while moving out of the Wuse II Annex of the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja.
There on the road, it was said an invitation to appear before a panel probing the activities of his agency was extended to him.
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Before he was eventually picked up, there was a mild drama between the agents of the state and, Magu’s security details, who attempted to resist the operatives from arresting their boss.
Magu, was said to be on his way to the Police Force Headquarters to honour an invitation before his arrest.
Magu is believed to be currently answering questions before the panel said to be sitting at the Banquet Hall wing of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
As gathered, at about 1:35 p.m., Magu arrived at the Villa where he was ushered into the wing, where he was later joined by his lawyer, Mr Rotimi Jacobs.
Earlier, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), had reportedly complained to the President Muhammadu Buhari about Magu’s conduct and advised him to relieve him of his appointment.
Magu’s arrest came barely two weeks after the alleged AGF’s
accusation, part of which was said to be insubordination apart from alleged discrepancies in the figures of funds recovered by the EFCC.
He was also accused of disposing of assets, especially buildings seized from corrupt politicians and others, without approval, or knowledge of the AGF’s office, which is the supervisory ministry of the EFCC.
The AGF allegedly listed 22 offences allegedly committed by Magu, for which he should be sacked.
Magu has been in acting capacity since the National Assembly twice refused to confirm his nomination to head the anti-graft agency, after the President Buhari, sent his name to the federal legislators on both occasions.
Meanwhile, Peter Afunanya, the Public Relations Officer, Department of State Services (DSS), National Headquarters in Abuja, has denied his operatives arrest of Magu.
He said in a statement on Monday: The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to inform the public that it did not arrest Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as has been reported by sections of the media.
“The Service, has since, today, 6th July, 2020, been inundated with enquiries over the alleged arrest.”
