Magu: Presidency, not me investigating him – Justice Minister Malami

The Justice Minister and Attorney-General of the Federation, Malam Abubakar Malami (SAN), has cleared the air on the probe of the suspended EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, saying the Presidency, not his office is probing the anti-graft czar.

Malami also lauded the President Muhammadu Buhari for his irrevocable and spirited commitment to the anti-graft war.

“I’m not the one probing the EFCC rather it is the Presidency that set up a panel to investigate the commission,’’ he said in response to a question if the probe was not intended to settle personal scores with Magu.

According to him, the probe of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and its chairman by Buhari administration has further raised its profile both within the country and globally.

“The probe of the suspended EFCC Chairman, Magu, shows that no one is above the law,’’ the Attorney-General said on NTA programme, “One-on-One’’ anchored by Cyril Stober on Friday night.

He also explained that the EFCC probe was not a blow to the anti-corruption war of the government.

“I would no like to be pre-emptive of the panel put in place by the President relating to an agency but within the context of the first leg of the question as to whether setting up a panel to look into the activities of an anti-corruption agency is a blow or a plus, I think to my mind, it is indeed a plus.

“It goes on to establish the tradition which this government is known for; a tradition of no fear or favour as far as investigating corruption cases or allegations are concerned.

“So, to my mind, it is indeed a plus that reinforces and re-establishes a tradition by which the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is known, re-established to the effect that no allegation of corruption can be swept under the carpet. So, it is indeed a plus and not a blow,’’ Malami restated.

Persecondnews had reported that the Presidency had suspended Magu and 11 other top officials of the commission including the Secretary, Ola Olukoyede, whose appointment was ratified by the Senate as the Justice Ayo Salami Presidential Panel continues its investigation.

Magu and the commission are being accused of inability to account for the interest that accrued from recovered loot of N550 billion and other seized immovable assets.

Specifically, he is accused of buying a property in Dubai worth N570 million through a pastor.

Magu was released on bail last week after spending about 10 days in detention. He has also filed his defence before the panel.