There are conflicting reports over what transpired on Monday, when Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the EFCC was invited to an investigative panel probing his office over financial impropriety.
While reports had earlier claimed he was arrested, two statements issued from both EFCC and DSS did not help to clear the air.
The the Department of State Services (DSS) issued a statements disclaiming the earlier report thus: “DSS 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 terse statement signed by Peter Afunanya, Public Relations Officer, DSS disclosed.
On the other hand, another statement signed by EFCC head, media and publicity, Dele Oyewale stated that Magu merely honoured an invitation by Presidential Panel reviewing the activities of the EFCC, at the Banquet Hall wing of the Presidential Villa, Abuja adding that he was served the invitation on his way to Police headquarters for a meeting.
Oyewale reiterated that the EFCC boss was “neither arrested nor forced to honour the invitation”
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Malami had earlier asked President Muhammad Buhari to sack Magu over allegations of diverting recovered looted funds even as Magu claimed the allegations were “politically motivated”.
While Magu was being quizzed journalists were barred from the precincts of the investigative panel.
Whether Magu’s invitation was routine or not, it is instructive that the famed anti-curruption czar, who had been in the forefront of Buhari’s anti-curruption war is being haunted over allegations of corruption.