The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to show the genuineness of its war against corruption by allowing the unhindered investigation of the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu
Magu was quizzed by the panel set up to probe alleged violations against him on Monday.
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His arrest came a few days after Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), accused the anti-graft boss of gross infractions.
The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said Nigerians were already aware that Magu had been pulled in for questioning, adding that Buhari should allow the law to take its course.
“The PDP holds that the development around the EFCC acting Chairman as well as the desperate attempt by the Commission to cover or wave off his investigation, only raise more integrity questions regarding Magu’s activities in the EFCC.
“Only last month, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minster of Justice, Abubakar Malami, released a memo in which he indicted Magu of alleged diversion of recovered funds and fraudulent sale of assets seized by the EFCC.
“Our party, Nigerians and indeed, the international community are keenly monitoring the development and expect the Buhari Presidency to muster the courage to carry out a comprehensive investigation and make its findings available to the public.
“Now that Magu has been pulled in for investigation, the federal government should preserve the integrity of the office of the Chairman of the EFCC by ordering him to step aside while investigators take charge of every activities of the office to forestall destruction of evidence as well as unnecessary interferences in the matter,” the party said.
Journalists barred
Journalists were barred from a sitting of a panel set up to probe alleged violations against Magu.
Magu was quizzed by the panel sitting at the Conference Centre of the Presidential villa, Abuja.
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Journalists, who had arrived to cover the event at about 3:20pm, were denied access by security personnel.
“They said you people should excuse the use of this place for today,” a security official detailed to the venue, politely told reporters.
Magu was said to have been arrested by the Department of State Security (DSS) in Abuja on Monday.
This came after allegations that he owns four properties and is transferring funds abroad through a third party.
He was said to have been stopped in traffic while moving out of the Wuse II Annex of the EFCC in Abuja and the invitation was extended to him.
DSS denies arrest
The Department of State Services, DSS, has denied reports that its operatives arrested Magu.
The service in a statement by its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, said that Magu is not in its custody.
“The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to inform the public that it 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 Service, has since, today, 6th July, 2020, been inundated with enquiries over the alleged arrest,” he said.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, recently, accused the anti-graft boss of gross infractions.
The AGF had asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack Mr. Magu over some allegations, including the diversion of recovered loot.
However, Mr Magu had previously denied any wrong doing and described all allegations against him as “politically motivated”.
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