The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied widespread reports that it arrested Ibrahim Magu the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to earlier reports, Magu was arrested over alleged ownership of four properties and allegedly transferred funds abroad through a third party.
He was said to have been arrested on Monday afternoon and undergoing interrogation at the DSS Headquarters in Aso Drive, Abuja.
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A statement from the DSS through its Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, and titled “MAGU, NOT ARRESTED BY DSS,” said:
The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to inform the public that it did not arrest Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as has been reported by sections of the media. The Service, has since, today, 6th July, 2020, been inundated with enquiries over the alleged arrest.
Earlier reports also said that the DSS, in a 2016 report, revealed that Magu was living in a N40m mansion paid for by a retired air commodore, Umar Mohammed, who is alleged to be involved in shady deals.
The report DSS reportedly said that the Police Service Commission (PSC) in December 2010 found Magu guilty of action prejudicial to state security including withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorised removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a police officer, and awarded him severe reprimand as punishment.
The DSS was also reported to stated:
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.
