The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, was reportwsly arrested this aftwrnoon by the Department of State Services, DSS.
Sahara Reporters while confirming the arrest stated that the anti-corruption czar, was arrested over allegations that he owns four properties, as well as allegations that he transferred funds abroad through a third party.
Magu was arrested at the Wuse II office of the DSS this afternoon and is believed to be undergoing interrogation at the Headquarters of the DSS located at Aso Drive, Abuja.
The DSS had in a 2016 report revealed that the EFCC boss wasliving in a mansion worth about N40m supposedly paid for by one Umar Mohammed, a retired air commodore who is believed to be involved in corrupt dealings.
The DSS stated that in December 2010, the Police Service Commission (PSC) found the EFCC boss, Magu guilty of action prejudicial to state security including, withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorised removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a police officer, and handed down severe reprimand as punishment to him.
The DSS also stated that Magu currently resides in a mansion that is rented for N40m at N20m per annum. The DSS stated that his accommodation was not paid [for] through the commission’s finances, rather stated that one Umar Mohammed, air commodore retired, who is believed to be a questionable businessman and who has been arrested by the DSS, was footing the bill.
The DSS stated that Magu, got the Federal Capital Development Authority to award a contract to Africa Energy, a company believed to be owned by the same Umar Mohammed, and the company furnished the residence at the cost of N43m.
The DSS also stated that Magu embarked on official and even private trips, using Mohammed’s private jet.
The DSS stated that in one of such trips, EFCC boss Magu flew to Maiduguri in the company of Mohammed as well as a bank MD who was under investigation by the EFCC, over funds allegedly stolen by, Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former petroleum minister under President Goodluck Jonathan.
The DSS also claimed Magu’s lifetstyle was above his means. The DSS gave an instance that on 24 June, 2016, Magu flew Emirate airlines first-class to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj at the cost of N2.9m. The DSS stated that this was in spite of the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari had issued a directive to all public servants to fly economy class.
Magu remains on acting capacity at the EFCC, despite holding the position for years. He is yet to be confirmed substantive Chairman, of the Commission.
