Yusuf Bello| The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday denied various reports that its men arrested Ibrahim Magu, the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Magu was reportedly arrested at the Wuse II office of the EFCC in Abuja Monday afternoon.
According to those who witnessed the drama, his convoy was stopped by armed security agents and he was taken away after about 30 minutes of arguments between the various security officials present including those of Mr Magu.
He was promptly driven to the Aso Villa where it is suspected he would appear before a panel set up by the president to review allegations against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
Malami reportedly accused Magu of insubordination and re-looting of recovered funds.
But DSS Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, in a statement, said the DSS has since been inundated with inquiries over the reported arrest of Magu, stressing that the Service has no connection with the incident.
Magu’s S.A. on Media, Tony Amokeodo, equally denied that his boss was arrested but only invited to answer questions regarding some allegations against the agency.
According to Amokeodo, Magu was invited to appear before a Federal Government panel set up to investigate the allegations of corruption levelled against him, sitting at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, Mr Dele Oyewale, has clarified the controversy surrounding Magu’s invitation in a statement.
Read the statement below:
MAGU HONOURS PANEL INVITATION
Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on Monday, July 6, 2020, honoured an invitation by a Presidential Panel reviewing the activities of the EFCC, at the Banquet Hall wing of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He was served the invitation to the Panel, while on his way to the Force Headquarters, Abuja for a meeting.
The EFCC’s boss was neither arrested nor forced to honour the invitation. A member of a legal team from the EFCC is also with him on the Panel.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
06/07/2020.
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