On June 23rd 2016, huhuonline.com reported that the President’s men were shopping for replacement for Ibrahim Magu.The plan reached its crescendo, Thursday, when Nigerian Senators amidst verbal exchanges refused to confirm his appointment as the substantive chairman of EFCC, after sitting on his confirmation letter for seven months.
According to the Senators their decision stemmed from adverse security report from the DSS.
“The Senate wishes to inform the general public that based on security reports available to the senate, it cannot proceed and confirm the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the Executive Chairman of EFCC.”
“Accordingly, the Senate hereby rejects the said nomination and has returned the said nomination to Mr President for further action,’’ said, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi.
However, the damning DSS report which buried Magu`s ambition, confirmed huhuonline.com previous report that Ibrahim Magu currently resides in one of Mohammed Umar’s houses “rent free,”
“Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for 40m at N20million naria per annum. This accommodation was not paid from commission’s finances but by one Umar Mohammed (Air Commodore/Rtd), a questionable businessman and ally of subject who has subsequently been arrested by this service. DSS said
DSS report pointed out that the circumstances which led to Magu’s return to EFCC and his closeness to Lamorde is a clear indication of his culpability in the corrupt tendencies of the Lamorde led EFCC.
“The circumstances surrounding Magu’s return to EFCC at the former Chairman, Lamorde and their close working relationship ever since, is a clear indication of his culpability in the corrupt tendencies of the Lamorde led EFCC,”
According to the report, Ibrahim Magu has become accustomed to flying first-class as against President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive. Specifically, on June 24, 2016, Magu flew Emirates First Class at the rate of N2,990, 196.00 to lesser Hajj .
The report added that “In December 2010, the Police Service Commission found Magu guilty of “Action prejudicial to state security, withholding EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorized removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a police officer.To cover up his tracks, Magu uses only his police cronies to execute operations,”
The report put the lid on Magu`s career at EFCC, saying,, “In the light of foregoing, Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption drive of the present administration.”
Full text of our story previously published story is reproduced below:
EFCC: President’s Men Shop For Magu Replacement, As Senate Receives His Confirmation Letter
The Presidency is currently in search of a replacement for Ibrahim Mangu, the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Huhuonline.com gathered that the relationship between Ibrahim Magu and Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to the President and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is sour.
The irreconcilable differences, which strained the relationship between the Presidency and the EFCC chair, has also led to bad blood among staff of EFCC and ONSA.
The trust and camaraderie which once existed between the top hierarchy of the agencies has since evaporated, and may adversely affect the war against corruption.
This mistrust reached a crescendo, Sunday, when Department of State Services (DSS), an agency under ONSA, arrested Air Commodore Umar Mohammed (rtd), a member of the Presidential Investigative Committee on Arms Procurement for allegedly fronting for officials of the commission (EFCC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Ibrahim Mangu as chairman of EFCC is a member of the Presidential Investigative Committee on Arms Procurement. Every finding by the investigative committee ends up with EFCC, as the arbiter.
EFCC, armed with the authority to decide who gets prosecuted, allegedly colluded with Mohammed, a racketeer, to collect payoff from indicted persons so that such persons can get a soft landing.
Ordinarily, an indictment is a mere accusation and everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and the burden of proof is on the prosecution.
But EFCC under Ibrahim Mangu treat indicted persons as guilty until proven innocent and the burden of proof is on the defence.
Findings reveal that Mohammed received huge sums of money from indicted persons and companies as bribe on behalf EFCC.
Huhuonline.com could not confirm exactly the amount received by Ibahim Mangu or EFCC. Calls and text messages to Magu’s phone and that of his spokesperson were neither acknowledged nor answered.
Meanwhile, DSS’ raid on Mohammed’s residence, located on 4 Lundi Close, off Mississippi Street, Maitama, as well as his Kaduna home, turned up $1.5 million cash and 18 luxury cars including a Rolls Royce, a Ferrari and a Bugatti.
Also recovered from Mohammed’s house were EFCC files containing information of indicted persons and companies currently under investigation by EFCC.
An ONSA source who did not want to be named expressed surprise as to why Mohammed Umar, who is not a staff of EFCC could be in possession of EFCC files.
Sources privy to Mohammed and Magu’s relationship described them as brothers.
“They are very close, infact Ibrahim Magu currently resides in one of Mohammed Umar’s houses rent free,” the source added.
Despite the hullabaloo, President Mohammadu Buhari is sticking with Magu.
Buhari, Wednesday night , wrote the Senate, asking it to confirm the appointment of Magu, as the bonafide chairman of the commission.
In the letter addressed to Senate President Bukola Saraki, the President urged senators to treat the confirmation request urgently.
Magu assumed office on 9th November 2015, following the removal former Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde,
The question that now begs for answer is that with the recent hullabaloo, between EFCC, Chief of staff to the President and the National Security Adviser, is Ibrahim Magu’s days as EFCC chairman numbered?
Even if the Senate confirms him, will his exit come sooner than later?
