Attempts by some unknown persons to destroy evidence that might implicate them in the on-going investigation of Ibrahim Magu, suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has failed.
Magu is facing a probe panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari over allegations of corruption and insubordination. The panel, headed by a retired appeal court judge, Ayo Salami, also has representatives of major security agencies, police and the State Security Services (SSS), as members.
Top officials of the EFCC and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) (which investigated financial transactions of Magu) are believed to have appeared before the panel.
Burglars had reportedly broken into the new office of the NFIU located at No 12, Ibrahim Taiwo Street, Aso Villa, on Thursday, allegedly destroying computers and documents said to be relevant to the investigation of Magu and others being carried out by the Justice Salami panel.
The reported burglary came shortly after some top officials of NFIU appeared before the Salami panel. It was reported that the burglary was meant to destroy evidence vital to the investigation.
The NFIU was responsible for trailing all financial transactions which allegedly implicated Magu and led to the setting up of the Justice Salami investigation panel.
But a source inside the investigation who confirmed the burglary to this newspaper revealed that the attempt to destroy the evidence failed because the burglars went into “the wrong office.”
He disclosed that all relevant documents to the investigations were intact, stressing that the burglary failed to destroy any evidence.
“There is no evidence lost because they went into the wrong department in NFIU and couldn’t accomplish their mission. The committee relies heavily on the work done by NFIU and all the relevant documents are in custody,” the source revealed.
He said the investigative panel was determined to do a thorough job and would look into all the books of the EFCC, NFIU and investigate all Magu associates to establish the truth.
We also gathered that the panel had placed Magu’s associates on watch-list.
“Nothing is going to stop us. We’re going to the EFCC headquarters to look into their books. We are also investigating those very close to him. Evidence are coming in from people who have been duped. A lot of people are ready and volunteering information; real, responsible people, not hustlers. People they have swindled,” the source added, saying President Muhammadu Buhari has been pleased with the work of the panel so far.
Magu is spending his sixth day in detention today Saturday, following his arrest on Monday June 6.
The allegations against Magu were made by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
(Source: The Whistler)