How damning DSS report finished Magu …Corrupt EFCC boss lives in N40m house paid for by “corrupt” person

The decision of the senate to reject the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was based on a security report by Lawal Daura, director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to a senior national assembly official, “the damning” report was addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and Senate President Bukola Saraki.

“The report is 16 pages and it is damning. It basically gives reasons why Magu is not fit to be EFCC chairman,” he said.

“The acting EFCC chairman is alleged to possess undeclared pieces of property. He is alleged to be corrupt, and a gross violator of human rights.”

The official concluded by saying “the senate cannot act outside the report”.

In the report, Magu is accused living in a N40million mansion paid for by one Umar Mohammed, a retired air commodore who is allegedly involved in shady deals.

“Investigation on the chairmanship of Magu revealed that in August 2008 during the tenure of Farida Waziri as the commission’s chairman, some sensitive documents which were not supposed to be at the disposal of Magu were discovered in his house. He was subsequently redeployed to the police after days of detention and later suspended from the police force,” said the report.

“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.

“Notwithstanding, sequel to the appointment of Ibrahim Lamorde as chairman, he made the return of Magu to the EFCC a top priority. Magu remained a top official of the commission until he was appointed to succeed Lamorde.

“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 and Nnamdi Okonkwo, the MD of Fidelity Bank, 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 has so far maintained a high-profiled 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.”

However, in the report, the secret police cleared members of the board of the anti-graft agency — Nasule Moses, Lawan Maman, Garandaji Imam Naji and Adeleke Adebayo Rafiu — of any wrongdoing.

Last Thursday, the senate had deferred the confirmation hearing Magu — after initially delaying the exercise for five months.

In July, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had forwarded Magu’s name to the senate for confirmation.

At the time, President Muhammadu Buhari was on a 10-day vacation in London.

But the senate did not consider or confirm the appointment of the EFCC boss, fuelling speculations of cutthroat wrangling between him and some key figures in Buhari’s government who want him out of the way.

He was to be screened alongside the board members of the anti-graft agency — Nasule Moses, Lawan Maman, Garandaji Imam Naji and Adeleke Adebayo Rafiu.

Buhari appointed Magu in November 2015 to succeed Ibrahim Lamorde, who was removed as EFCC chairman under controversial circumstances.