By Damola Emmanuel
President Muhammadu Buhari may have kicked out the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, to save his government from serious embarrassment and strengthen the war against corruption in Nigeria.
This was revealed to The Crest by a trustworthy source, Monday evening, who also disclosed that allegations the Acting EFCC Chairman were weighty and damaging, and the panel investigating the allegations had been sitting for three weeks.
And, “in consonance with the principle of fairness and justice,” continued the source, Magu was given ample chance to defend himself.
“It was needful that the Acting Chairman be given opportunity to respond to the allegations, which are weighty in nature,” said the source.
Dismissing insinuations that Magu was a victim of power-play by some influential power bloc that were irritated by‘the great job’ he was doing, the impeccable source maintained that the “investigation is to reinforce transparency and accountability, rather than to vitiate it.”
The source continued: “Under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, nobody is above scrutiny. Repeat: nobody.
“Accountability for our actions or inactions is inalienable part of democracy.
“In such elevated position as that of EFCC Chairman, the holder of the position must be above suspicion.
“There’s no prejudgment. Absolutely none. The Buhari administration can be counted on to uphold fairness and justice at all times.”
The Crest had earlier reported that Magu’s suspension was broken by the BBC Hausa Service, quoting an unnamed presidency source after the anti-graft Czar spent last night in a police cell at the Force Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters in Area 10, Garki, Abuja.
He had been quizzed on Monday for about six hours by a Presidential panel, chaired by a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami.
The Crest learnt that Magu was detained at the FCID after the panel had grilled him for hours. Media aide to the anti-graft agency’s boss, Tony Amokedo, told the Daily Trust that he was not aware of his boss’ suspension.
The panel was constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari to probe various allegations levelled against Magu following a petition by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, and the Department of State Service (DSS).
Malami’s memo allegedly accused Magu of diversion of recovered loot. The memo was said to contain 22 allegations against the embattled EFCC chairman. Malami had reportedly written a memo in June, 2020, which indicted Magu.
