Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has written to the Inspector General of Police damanding investigation into some “vicious and malicious” allegations that he had obtained part of a N39 billion recovered loot in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Vice President’s move follows allegations by an online journalist, Jackson Ude, who in an article published in Point-Blank news on the 8th of July alleging that VP Osinbajo collected N4 billion from the suspended EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.
Vice President Osinbajo, who wrote through his lawyers is asking the Inspector General of Police to conduct full investigation into allegations made by Ude from Point-Blank news.
The blogger had also alleged that embattled Magu is begging for a soft landing from the presidential panel because of the alleged illegal transaction between him and the Vice President.
According to the letter written by Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s lawyers from the chambers of Bayo Osipitan and Co dated 8th July 2020, Ude’s allegations were described as vicious and malicious meant to portray the vice president as a dishonest and disloyal public officer unfit for the office of the vice president.
The letter called for a thorough investigation into the allegations made by Jackson Ude, noting that if those claims are found to be false, then criminal proceedings for criminal defamation should be brought against Jackson Ude.
Osinbajo’s call comes on the heels of an ongoing probe into the operations of Ibrahim Magu as acting boss of the EFCC.
Magu, who is believed to have been removed from office is spending a fourth day in the custody of the Nigeria Police.
This comes as the presidential panel continues its investigation into the activities of the commission under the leadership of Magu.
The panel is reported to have extended its probe to properties alleged to have been acquired by Magu in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
On Tuesday night, a team of security officials reportedly searched his homes in Abuja and were reported to have left with some documents, although it was not confirmed if anything incriminating was found during the search.
The investigation of Magu followed the allegations of misconduct levelled against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was said to have written to President Muhammadu Buhari, demanding the removal of Magu as the acting chairman of the anti-graft agency.
Meanwhile, the Presidency believes the probe has reinforced the commitment of the Buhari administration to transparency and accountability.
