TELL Magazine

President Mohammadu Buhari has suspended Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as his investigation entered the second day Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. There had however been no official confirmation to this effect.

A Presidential aide has described the allegations against Magu as weighty. The presidential aide who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed to State House correspondents that Magu’s investigation was making progress. He claimed the probe had been on for a while.

“The panel investigating allegations against acting EFCC Chairman had been sitting for some weeks now. In consonance with the principle of fairness and justice, it was needful that the acting chairman be given opportunity to respond to the allegations, which are weighty in nature.

“Under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, nobody is above scrutiny. Repeat: nobody. The investigation is to reinforce transparency and accountability, rather than to vitiate it. Accountability for our actions or inactions is inalienable part of democracy. In such elevated position as that of EFCC Chairman, the holder of the position must be above suspicion. There’s no prejudgment; absolutely none. The Buhari administration can be counted on to uphold fairness and justice at all times.”

The panel, led by Justice Ayo Salami, a former president of the Court of Appeal, quizzed Magu for six hours on Monday and continued Tuesday. Magu honoured the invitation of the Presidential Panel on Monday and has been defending himself against several allegations against him across the board.

Dele Oyewale, EFCC Spokesman, said in a statement on Tuesday that Magu was not arrested as speculated. “The EFCC boss was neither arrested nor forced to honour the invitation. A member of the EFCC legal team is also with him at the panel.” The Department of State Services, DSS, had also on Monday confirmed that it did not arrest Magu as was being rumoured. Magu was detained after the Monday interrogation.