By Adesina Soyooye
The embittered, embattled and suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic Financial and Crimes Commission, EFCC, Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Magu, says his health is going down.
Speaking through his Counsel, Wahab Shittu, Magu cried out that his health ”is deteriorating”.
Magu also said he has been embarrassed, insulted and, paraded like a common criminal, and has become morally depressed, “for serving the nation.”
He, also, accuses the Media, of taking an undue advantage of his situation, and launching a campaign of calumny against him.
How An Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, Intercepted Him
Contrary to the report which made the rounds in the media, Magu was not arrested by a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP. He was accosted by an ACP, Gabriel Elaigwu.
This was disclosed by Shittu in a letter of Appeal he sent on Magu’s behalf, to the Presidential Panel, asking that his client be granted bail.
Contents Of The Invitation Letter
Shittu: “Our Client has briefed and drawn our attention to the letter dated 6th of July, 2020, Ref No PIC/AR/VOL.I/01 wherein he was informed as follows:
“The above mentioned panel is investigating above listed offences in which you feature prominently, and the need to obtain clarification from you had become necessary.
“You are directed to, with immediate effect, accompany the Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, Gabriel Eliagwu and team, to report to the Chairman and members of the Committee, today, 6th July, 2020.
“Ensure compliance and receipt of my warmest regards please”
Since he honoured the invitation as ordered, nothing has been the same for Magu.
A Long Goodbye
Magu has been in the custody of the Police, from where he has been appearing before the Panel. His personal and official houses have been searched. Security personnel attached to his residences and him, personally, have been withdrawn. And so have his official vehicles.
He has been suspended from office, and a replacement, the EFCC Director of Operations, Mohammed Umar, appointed in his stead. All the Police personnel posted to the EFCC have been withdrawn. A new set will be posted. And for Magu, it is a long goodbye to the high profile office.
But these are hardly Magu’s problems now.
His main problem is to be given bail so he can attend to his health, and mount a vigorous defence of himself.
According to his Counsel, since that July the 6th, Magu has not been availed of the petitions against him. He has also not been given the terms of reference of the Panel. He, also, complained that witnesses were being interviewed behind his back, insisting that they should be made to face him one on one.
Magu’s Demands; The Media, His Problem
Suprisingly, Magu is holding the Media responsible for some of his travails. He says that both the print and electronic media are scandalising him while he is in custody
His Counsel, therefore, asked for six things:
* That Magu would appreciate being afforded the Terms of Reference of the Committee.
*That Magu be given copies of the allegations against him to give him the opportunity to study them for a robust defence.
*That Magu would appreciate the intervention of the Committee to release him from custody to enable him defend himself adequately, and attend to his health which has deteriorated in custody.
*That Magu be given adequate time to respond to the allegations against him, by providing materials and evidence.
* That Magu be provided the opportunity to confront petitioners with his defence.
*That witnesses be examined before Magu , and his Counsel.
*That Magu be granted the right to fair hearing and liberty.
But many Nigerians say, given Magu’s antecedents, they are surprised he is asking for bail.
In a lead headline caption described by not a few people as apt, ThisDay on Saturday, screamed: “Magu, Who Denied Scores Their Freedom, Seeks Bail”
As for his deteriorating health as reason for giving him bail, many Nigerians are reminding him of the date of the now jailed PDP Chieftain, Olisa Metu, who he hauled before the Court on a wheelchair and, atimes, on a hospital stretcher.
But others insist that he should be availed bail, as “two wrongs don’t make a right”.
