Department of State Services (DSS). Monday denied news report that it has arrested the Acting Chairman, of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.
DSS said the story was not correct.
It was widely reported on Monday that Magu was arrested by DSS over allegations that he has four properties and that he was allegedly transferring funds abroad through a third party.
The report said EFCC Acting Chairman was arrested at commission’s Wuse II office, adding that he’s now undergoing interrogation at the DSS Headquarters in Aso Drive.
But, DSS, in a short statement by its Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, Ph.D, said: “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.”
Another report also explained that Magu was not arrested but invited for an interrogation by a Presidential Panel at Aso Rock Villa.
DSS had, in a 2016 report, accused Magu of living in a N40 million mansion paid for by one Umar Mohammed, a retired air commodore who is allegedly involved in shady deals.
“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 N40 million at N20 million 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 N43 milliom.
“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 N2.9 million. 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,” DSS report said.
Idowu Sowunmi
