Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Police Affairs, has said that former acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, is still on the Federal Government’s payroll as a police officer despite his suspension by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Recall that Magu was removed as EFCC acting chairman by President Muhammadu Buhari following allegation of corruption and insubordination.
Read Also: EFCC: Buhari Approves Magu’s Suspension, Appoints Mohammed Umar As Acting Chairman – Malami
He was arrested in July 2020 and made to appear before a presidential panel headed by a retired Court of Appeal Justice, Ayo Salami.
Magu was the acting chairman of EFCC between 2015 and 2020, but was arrested, detained and suspended as the head of the anti-graft agency.
Read Also: Breaking: EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu Arrested
Magu’s ordeal started when Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, petitioned the president, levelling allegations of corruption and insubordination against him.
A panel led by Ayo Salami was subsequently instituted to probe the allegations levelled against Magu. A report on the investigation was submitted in November 2020.
Read Also: Malami Writes Buhari, Seeks Removal Of Acting EFCC Chairman, Magu Over ‘Diversion Of Recovered Loot’
Speaking on the development, Dingyadi said since the report was submitted to the president, no further communication has been sent to the ministry and the police force.
The minister expressed that despite the suspension of Magu as acting EFCC chairman, he is still a police officer under the payroll of the federal government.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Wednesday, Dingyadi said Magu is still in the service as a police officer.
He said;
The matter is investigated and the man [Ibrahim Magu] is still in the service, he is still in the Force Headquarters, I don’t want to expatiate at this material time as to what is happening to the report of the committee. What I know is that the report has been submitted to Mr President and as far as I know, no communication has yet to be submitted to the ministry or the police force on this matter.
So, we are waiting for the final outcome and the public will be informed as and when the need arises.
He stressed;
Of course, he is still a police officer even though he is under suspension. He used to be the chairman of the EFCC but he is no longer one. But that does not mean he is not on the payroll of the Federal Government; he is still a civil servant, he is still a police officer until a final decision is taken on the matter, I don’t think I should say anything more than I have said on this matter now.
