DSS Arrests EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, over alleged corruption

Acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has been arrested by the Department of State Services.

His arrest comes a few days after Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), accused him of gross infractions.

He was arrested over allegations that he owns four properties and that he was allegedly transferring funds abroad through a third party.

According to reports, the EFCC chief travelled to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates without the authorisation of the president during the COVID-19 lockdown.

And when he was queried, he said he went for an investigation. He is also alleged to be living above his means.

The DSS, in a 2016 report, revealed that accused 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.

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,” the DSS report said.