- Magu attempted to probe NSA for alleged financial crime, stopped by Malami
- Lawyer files application for suspended anti-graft agency’s boss release today
The presidential panel investigating allegations of corruption levelled against the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, on Thursday quizzed the EFCC Secretary, Olanipekun Olukoyede, and some directors of the commission.
The PUNCH gathered that the
EFCC officials were asked questions about the allegation of diversion of
recovered funds levelled against Magu.
It was learnt that top officials of the
EFCC were invited to either corroborate or fault some explanations Magu
had made before the panel.
The suspended EFCC boss has been in the
police detention since Monday when he was arrested in front of the old
EFCC headquarters on Fomella Street, Wuse 2, Abuja and forced to appear
before the presidential panel at its sitting in the old Banquet Hall of
the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The suspended EFCC boss was subjected to
several hours of interrogation on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday by
Justice Ayo Salami-led panel.
He was asked to respond to 22
allegations levelled against him by the Attorney-General of the
Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), in his memo
to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
Besides alleged diversion of recovered
loot, Magu was accused of selling or mysteriously releasing about 157
oil tankers seized in Port Harcourt without following due process.
Also, a report by the Auditor-General of
the Federation last year alleged that about N13.96bn recorded as
salaries and wages in the consolidated financial statement of the EFCC
were not in the anti-graft agency’s trial balance submitted for
reconciliation
Panel grills Magu for 12 hours
On Thursday, Magu spent 12 hours before the presidential panel.
After the interrogation, Magu was again
driven back to the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Garki, where
he spent the fourth night in police custody.
Magu arrived at the Aso Villa Banquet Hall as early as 9am according to his lawyer, Tosin Ojaomo.
The suspended EFCC boss was subsequently
brought before the panel led by Salami, and the Deputy
Inspector-General of Police, FCID, Mike Ogbezi.
A source at the panel said the directors who were quizzed by the panel, absolved themselves of involvement in funds diversion.
In a related development, fresh
information indicated that the embattled former EFCC boss attempted to
probe the National Security Adviser, Mohammed Monguno, for an alleged
undisclosed financial crime.
A senior Ministry of Justice official
said Magu did not seek the approval of the President and the supervising
Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation.
The authorities were said to have got wind of Magu’s plan and immediately nicked it in the bud.
The source stated, “Apart from courting
trouble by attempting to probe NSA Monguno, Magu was also disrespectful
to the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who accused him of
insubordination. This is why no one is pleading for him because his cup
is full. His attempt to probe the NSA who was said to be instrumental to
his appointment marked the genesis of his troubles.”
Meanwhile, a group of anti-corruption
campaigners, Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and
Constitution, on Thursday asked the anti-graft agency to immediately
launch a thorough investigation into the relationship between Magu and a
former senator, Buruji Kashamu.
Lawyer files application for Magu’s release today
Speaking on plans to secure the release
of his client, Magu’s lawyer said he would submit an application to
the police authorities for his release.
He explained that he was unable to see
his client on Thursday, despite waiting for hours at the Force Criminal
Investigation Department, Garki.
He said,”I just left the FCID now
(8:30pm) having waited endlessly to see Magu, but they had not brought
him back from the Presidential Villa. Tomorrow (today), I will file an
application before the police authorities for his release,” he stated.
In another interview, he said, “We are
still trying to get him bailed. I was there early in the morning but I
was told he had already been taken to the Villa. They have not shown us
any remand order. However, I was told that he is being treated decently.
“The problem is that once he is taken
from there (FCID) at about 8am, he remains with the panel till evening.
The DIG is the one in charge as regards detention and he has the power
to approve administrative bail. I have been trying to see him as regards
Magu’s case.”
When asked about the status of Magu, Ojaomo responded, “He is in high spirits. I am confident that Magu will emerge victorious.”
The lawyer said he would return to the FCID by 8am on Friday to make a formal application for bail.
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