The Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu has been reportedly arrested by the Department of State Service (DSS) over allegations that he owns four properties and was allegedly transferring funds abroad through a third party.
A source said the EFCC boss was arrested at the Wuse II office of the DSS on Monday afternoon and is now being questioned at the DSS Headquarters in Aso Drive, Abuja.
In 2016 a DSS report had disclosed that Magu was living in a N40m mansion paid for by one Umar Mohammed, a retired air commodore who was allegedly involved in fraudulent deals.
At the time of filing this report on Monday, the EFCC spokesman; Dele Oyewale was yet to respond to the reported arrest. He told BusinessDay on telephone that he will speak on the matter shortly.
However, the DSS in a statement issued by its Spokesman, Peter Afunanya denied arresting Magu. He said the “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.”
Magu, has remained on acting capacity for over 4 years as the Senate refused to confirm him as the substantive chairman following some damming report about him by the DSS. President Muhamaadu Buhari, has however, retained him on acting capacity.
The DSS Report of 2016 that allegedly indicted Magu said “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.
“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 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.
“Furthermore, the EFCC boss has so far maintained a high-profile lifestyle. This is exemplified by his preference for first-class air travels. On 24 June, 2016, he flew Emirate airlines first-class to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj at the cost of N2.9m. This is in spite of Mr President’s directive to all public servants to fly economy class.
“Magu has fostered a beneficial relationship with Mohammed who by his confession approaches clients for possible exploitation, favours and associated returns,” the DSS report said.
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