…Magu was suspended for grave malfeasance
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday suspended the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.
His suspension has raised many questions as to the origin and reasons of his suspension.
The whole saga began on Monday, 6th July, 2020 when the Department of State Service (DSS) arrested and whisked him away. The incident was later dismissed by his Special Assistant on Media, Tony Amokeodo, who told journalists that his boss was only invited to answer some questions regarding the anti-graft agency.
Read also: President Buhari suspends EFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu
Magu’s media aide’s claims were further buttressed when DSS Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, affirmed that the Service did not arrest the nation’s anti-graft czar.
Having said that, reports reveal that Magu who has been manning the affairs of EFCC since 2016 was grilled by DSS for six hours, following a memo served by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
In his memo, Malami accused Magu of gross misconduct while he acted as the EFCC boss. This led to subsequent interrogations he faced with a panel set up by the presidency, headed by the former president of Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami.
From what we have gathered about his suspension, below are 3 major reasons we could point to at this time.
1. MISHANDLING OF RECOVERED LOOT
The suspended EFCC chairman is alleged to have mishandled some of the monies retrieved from corrupt persons especially politically exposed persons. Magu has spearheaded a lot of the investigations that led to the recovery of these loots, but sadly they cannot be properly accounted for, leading concerns that ultimately resulted in his suspension.
2. SELLING RECOVERED ASSETS TO ASSOCIATES
Malami in his memo raised a serious concern that Magu was allegedly selling the recovered property from corrupt politicians to his cronies. It is not clear who these associates are at this time.
3. GROSS INSUBORDINATION
It is likely that Magu’s powers got to his head and he forgot that he had superiors, as he is alleged to have refused to subject himself for supervision by the office of the attorney-general. He was therefore indicted for gross insubordination.
Magu’s tenure as the EFCC boss has had it’s fair share of drama as he was refused confirmation several times by the 8th Senate, leaving to stay in acting capacity since 2015.
After his suspension today, Femi Odekunle, a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), complained that Magu is a victim of a rancourous war waged by Malami, in which the presidential panel replied that he was only speaking for himself.
This is still a developing story, we will keep you updated.
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