Breaking: Finally, Buhari Officially, Suspends Magu, And Approves New Acting EFCC Chairman; The Implications For Magu

By Adesina Soyooye

After a long silence, President Muhammadu Buhari has finally, officially, approved the suspension of CP Ibrahim Magu as the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The President had, also, put a stop to speculations as to who would, in the interim, act in that position, by approving that Mohammed Umar, the Commission’s Director of Operations, takes over.

Both approvals, by the President, were contained  in a press release by Umar Gwandu, Spokesperson for the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate suspension of Ibrahim Magu as Ag. Chairman, EFCC in order to allow for unhindered inquiry  by the Presidential investigation Panel under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act, and other relevant laws.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has, also, approved that the EFCC Director of Operations, Mohammed Umar, should take charge and oversee the activities  of the Commission, pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and further directives in that regard”.

Observers say that both approvals may have indicated two things – that Magu is in for a long investigation period, and that he might not go back to that seat.

His end as the Ag. Chair has come to an end.

If so, Magu has set a record as the first boss of the Commission, who was not confirmed since its inception in 2001. Twice, the 8th Senate refused to confirm him over damning allegations made against him by the DSS, under the then DG, Lawal Daura.

Suprisingly, Mr President never submitted his name for confirmation to the 9th Senate, even though members had indicated willingness to review his case.

He may,  also, have set a record for the longest Acting Chairman in Nigeria’s Public Service. He acted for five years.

The appointment of Umar to act, in the interim, follows precedents, except for when Mrs Farida Waziri was brought in from outside the EFCC after the removal of Nuhu Ribadu as the Chairman.

Magu’s exit from the high profile office began on Monday when he was intercepted on Monday, by Security Operatives, on his way from his office to the Force Headquarters for a meeting, and hauled before a Presidential Panel to answer to 22 allegations against him.

The allegations were made in a letter to the President by Malami, who, also, asked for his replacement.

Since then, he has been in the custody of the Police, from where he goes before the five-man panel headed by a retired President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Ago Salami.

While in custody, security operatives had gone to search both his personal and official residences.