Twelve top officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including directors, have been suspended, according to reports.
According to a report by The Nation, a notice of the suspension was communicated to the Acting Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Mohammed Umar, on Tuesday night by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The suspension might not be unconnected with the ongoing investigation into the affairs of the commission by panel constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Meanwhile the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has told Magu, that he is not responsible for his detention.
Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential Panel is currently investigating corruption allegations against Magu who has been detained for the last 10 days.
His lawyer, Tosin Ojoamo, had written to the police boss requesting for his bail.
However, the IGP, while responding to the letter, said he should direct his correspondence about the detention to the presidential panel.
Mohammed, in a letter addressed to the lawyer with reference number: CB:7000/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.489/171, dated 14th July 14, 2020, said Magu was not being detained by the police but by the panel investigating the activities of the EFCC.
The reaction of the IGP read in part: “Your letter 00C/TOL/89A/07/2020 of 10th July, 2020 on the above underlined subject refers.
“The Inspector General of Police directs that your attention be drawn to the fact that the Nigeria Police Force is not investigating C.P. Ibrahim Magu (your client) and he is accordingly, not being detained by the police but by the presidential panel that is investigating the activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“The Inspector General of Police therefore advises that you consider re-directing your request to the Chairman of the presidential panel for appropriate attention.
“I am to convey the assurances of the warmest regards of the Inspector of Police, please.”
The letter was signed by IGP’s Principal Staff Officer, DCP Owohunwa.
President Muhammadu Buhari constituted the Justice Salami-led panel holding its sittings at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to probe various allegations levelled against Magu, following petitions by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the Department of State Service (DSS).
Malami’s memo allegedly accused Magu of diversion of recovered loot. The memo was said to contain 22 allegations against the embattled EFCC chairman.
President Buhari had on Friday approved the suspension of Magu as Acting Chairman of the EFCC through an announcement by the AGF and appointed the agency’s Director of Operations, Mohammed Umar, to take charge and oversee the activities of the Commission pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation by Justice Salami-led panel.
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