Revelations have emerged that suspension of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, by Federal Government was reached by the Presidential panel after his office was alleged to be involved in 24 cases bordering on corruption leveled against him by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
The 24 cases leveled against the embattled anti-graft boss, who was placed under detention by the panel for further questioning, include money laundering and unaudited EFCC financial report since Magu took over the affairs of the commission over five years ago.
Other reasons advanced for his suspension were said to be ill-gotten wealth and nondisclosure of assets recovered from public officeholders indicted to have used their offices to acquire property in the country.
Although other reasons for Magu’s suspension were yet to be revealed, the apex government directives came barely 24 hours after his invitation and subsequent detention by Department of State Security (DSS), over his alleged involvement in corrupt practices.
Magu was reported to be under detention when the panel set up to investigate his office involvement in corruption allegations recommended that the commission boss be suspended to allow for further investigations.
Prior to his invitation, it was gathered that the presidential panel led by a retired president of the Appeal Court Ayo Salami, investigating allegations against the anti-graft commission’s boss had been sitting for weeks in investigating allegations against Magu’s office.
According to sources from the nation’s seat of power, the ongoing probe of Magu was to further cement the administration’s stance on corruption by showing that no one is above the law of the country and that the process was to reinforce the Buhari administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
“Under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, nobody is above scrutiny. The investigation is to reinforce transparency and accountability, rather than to vitiate it.
“Accountability for our actions or inactions is an inalienable part of democracy. In such an elevated position as that of EFCC Chairman, the holder of the position must be above suspicion. There’s no prejudgement. Absolutely none. The Buhari administration can be counted on to uphold fairness and justice at all times,” one of the sources said.
