The Code of Conduct Bureau(CCB) has reportedly invited suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu to report to its office to provide some insights into his Asset Declaration forms.
According to Punch newspaper, the CCB had invited Magu through a letter with reference number CCB/HQ/II&M/007/2093 dated November 2, 2020 wherein the suspended EFCC boss was required to appear before the anti-corruption body on November 17, 2020.
Recall that Magu who was born on May 5, 1962, and a police off serving police officer was until his present ordeal the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC).
He has been acting as chairman of the EFCC since 2015, until July this year when he was suspended from office and Muhammed Umar was named as the acting EFCC chairman.
Reports indicate that the suspended EFCC chairman was required to report at the CCB office with some vital documents including acknowledgment copies of all his assets declaration forms since he started declaring his assets in accordance with defined public service protocols.
He was was also reportedly asked to tender documents showing his payslips, land documents and other assets declared by him.
According to Punch report, Magu failed to honour the request of the CCB and he wrote a letter instead, explaining reasons why he would not be able to honour the invitation with the stated documentation.
In the letter, the suspended EFCC boss said all the necessary documents were in his office at the EFCC headquarters and he has been denied access to the office due to his suspension.
He subsequently informed the CCB that he would not be able to honour its invitation. Magu also wrote a letter to the Chairman of the defunct Presidential panel, Justice Ayo Salami, who investigated him, and informed him of his CCB probe and his inability to access the documents.
Checks reveal that the CCB wanted the suspended EFCC boss to have at least honoured the summon in the first instance and thereafter provide reasons or justification for why he can’t provide the documentation as requested.
Sources reveal that the CCB has some requisite data and information which conflict with Magu’s declared assets in his Assets declaration forms, and would have given the suspended acting EFCC boss the chance to clear those grey areas.
Said the insider: “It is obvious that Magu did not declare them but rather than explain himself in person, he is making excuses. Magu will be arrested if he fails to show up and he will be charged. That is a done deal.”
However, Counsel to the suspended EFCC boss, Mr. Tosin Ojaomo, reportedly offered a defence for his client saying “Magu explained to the CCB that he would not be able to honour the invitation because his documents are not available.”
He added:”Everyone knows that Magu was arrested impromptu and was not allowed to take any documents from his office. He also informed Justice Salami of his challenge.
“He cannot be arrested because he has explained his challenge to them. It is obvious that this is just a witch-hunt.”
Recall that Magu has been acting EFCC boss until July this year when he was suspended suspended following allegations levelled against him to the effect that he has been involved in illegal and inappropriate acts as the acting chairman of the EFCC.
Among the inappropriate deals he was accused of include acquisition of a luxury home in Dubai and inability to provide solid and convincing explanation about interest that accrued to the sum of over N500bn recovered by the EFCC.
The federal government, acting on the allegations, later put in place an investigation or probe team led by a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami.
The task of the probe panel was to among other thins, examine all into the allegations and offer recommendations going forward. The Panel submitted its report last Friday to president Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
