DSS Bars Journalists From Location Where A Panel Is Interrogating EFCC Boss, Magu
The officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) have reportedly blocked journalists attached to the State House from the conference center where Magu is being questioned by the Panel headed by a retired Justice of the Appeal Court, Justice Ayo Salami.
“DSS definitely took him to where a Panel investigating him is sitting. He was invited to respond to some allegations against him, and it is not clear as of now if he will be detained after appearing before the Panel which is currently sitting,” a source told Global Sentinel.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) had indicted Magu of graft in a damaging memo he sent to the President seeking his sack and replacement.
The DSS had in a 2016 report accused Magu of living in a N40m mansion paid for by one Umar Mohammed, a retired air commodore who is allegedly involved in shady deals.
“In December 2010, the Police Service Commission (PSC) found Magu guilty of action prejudicial to state security – withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorised removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a police officer, and awarded him severe reprimand as punishment.
Read Also:
“Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40m at N20m per annum. This accommodation was not paid [for] from the commission’s finances, but by one Umar Mohammed, air commodore retired, a questionable businessman who has subsequently been arrested by the secret service.
“For the furnishing of the residence, Magu enlisted the Federal Capital Development Authority to award a contract to Africa Energy, a company owned by the same Mohammed, to furnish the residence at the cost of N43m.
“Investigations show that the acting EFCC chairman regularly embarked on official and private trips through a private jet owned by Mohammed.
“In one of such trips, Magu flew to Maiduguri alongside Mohammed with a bank MD who was being investigated by the EFCC over complicity in funds allegedly stolen by the immediate past petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
“Furthermore, the EFCC boss has so far maintained a high-profile lifestyle. This is exemplified by his preference for first-class air travels. On 24 June, 2016, he flew Emirate airlines first-class to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj at the cost of N2.9m. This is in spite of Mr President’s directive to all public servants to fly economy class.
“Magu has fostered a beneficial relationship with Mohammed who by his confession approaches clients for possible exploitation, favours and associated returns,” the DSS report said.
Magu is yet to be confirmed as the substantive chairman of the EFCC despite occupying the position in acting capacity for many years
