Magu Is Not Above The Law; Panel Has Been Meeting For Weeks Without His Knowledge – Presidential Source

By Adesina Soyooye

The Presidential Panel investigating the now suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has been investigating him, for weeks, without his knowledge. In one of the best kept secrets in a government where a couple of secret documents have embarrassingly leaked, perhaps, only a couple of people knew that the Panel has been sitting on Magu, and only ordered that he be brought before the members  when they had studied the allegations, and satisfied themselves that the allegations  were worth it.

A Presidential source revealed this to Reporters on Tuesday, adding that anybody holding a high and sensitive office must live above board.

The source, also, said  that the now suspended Ag Chairman of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is not above the law.

He spoke in connection with the Presidential Panel investigating Magu over allegations made against him by the Attorney General of the Federation, and Minister for Justice, Abubarkar Malami.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, quoted the source as saying that probing Magu affirms that nobody under the Buhari administration “is above scrutiny”. He also said  that probing him is a reinforcement of the Buhari administration’s commitment to accountability and transparency. To hold an office that high, the source said, one must be above suspicion.

Magu appeared before the Panel on Monday after he was brought before it. He was detained on its order, and appeared again before it on Tuesday. He was suspended Tuesday afternoon, the second day of his appearance.

But the Source assured that the Buhari government will not pre-judge anybody and would uphold justice.

“The Panel has been sitting for some weeks. In consonance with the principle of fairness and justice, it was needful that the Acting Chairman be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations which are weighty.

“Under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, nobody is above scrutiny. Repeat: nobody. The investigation is to reinforce transparency and accountability rather than to vitiate it.

“Accountability for our actions or inactions is an inalienable part of democracy. In such an elevated position as that of the EFCC Chairman, the holder of the position must be above suspicion”.

Meanwhile, Magu’s personal things have been moved out of his office . He, reportedly, asked his aides to move them out following his suspension, earlier Tuesday, from office, by President Muhammadu Buhari.