Malami Writes Buhari, Seeks Removal Of Acting EFCC Chairman, Magu Over ‘Diversion Of Recovered Loot’

Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has reportedly recommended to President Muhammadu Buhari the sack of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.

ThisDay reports that Malami, in his letter to the president, based his recommendation on several grounds “raging from diversion of recovered loot to insubordination and misconduct” by Magu.

Multiple sources told the media outlet that Malami included a shortlist of three candidates for consideration to replace Magu.

The sources said given the weight of Malami’s allegations against Magu;

The president may be inclined to set up a probe panel that will look into the veracity of the allegations and make necessary recommendations.

One of the sources reportedly stated that;

I can authoritatively tell you that though Magu has survived previous plots to remove him, the AGF’s legal opinion remains the deadliest plot to get Magu out of the EFCC as AGF’s letter to the president contained 22 weighty allegations that require Buhari’s decision on whether or not to send Magu’s name to the Senate for confirmation or replace him. This is because the office of the AGF is the supervising ministry of the EFCC and so his legal opinion cannot be treated with levity.

The source noted;

For example, Malami alleged accounting gaps or discrepancies of figures concerning the recovered assets, claiming that Magu was not transparent enough in the management of recovered assets.

Malami alleged that most of the recovered assets by the EFCC were allegedly sold by Magu without the knowledge of anyone.

The source added;

But it is unfortunate that this claim is at variance with the public auction of assets by the EFCC.

The reported move by Malami is yet another blow to Magu’s position at the EFCC since his appointment in November, 2015.

He has remained in acting capacity following the senate’s refusal to confirm him on at least two occasions over the years.

Among the reasons the senate cited for not confirming him is the Department of State Services (DSS) report which accused Magu of various forms of misconduct including living in a N40million mansion paid for by one retired air commodore who is allegedly involved in shady deals.

The EFCC boss is reportedly fighting against his replacement, likewise his supporters at the presidency.

A Magu supporter said;

It will interest you to note that Malami accused the EFCC boss of disclosing a total naira recovery of N504 billion but lodged N543 billion in the Recovery Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Incidentally, this exceeded the disclosed figures by N39 billion.

According to the supporter of the EFCC boss, what should be a point of commendation is now being used against Magu.

Others said;

Malami also accused Magu of blatant display of arrogance and insubordination to him as supervising minister of the EFCC.

Many efforts have been made in the past to make the president to drop Magu, since his appointment as EFCC acting chairman on November 9, 2015.