Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu whose nomination was rejected earlier on Thursday by the Senate has failed integrity test, a DSS report says.

Magu, the anti-corruption Czar, was accused of corruption and hobnobbing with high-profiled Nigerians facing corruption charges.    

The Senate after a stormy two hours Executive Session rejected Magu’s nomination, citing security report for the rejection.

The DSS report which nailed Magu alleged that he is culpable in the corruption allegation against his predecessor, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde; lives in N40million rented apartment and had maintained high profile life style.

In the report, Magu was also accused of flying first-class as against President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive.

The DSS equally alleged that on June 24, 2016, Magu flew Emirates First Class at the rate of N2,990,196.00 to lesser Hajj as against Buhari’s directive to public officers not to do so.

The five-page damning report Dated October 3, 2016, was addressed to the Acting Clerk of the Nigerian Senate.

The report by the DSS was consequent upon Senate’s letter which requested vetting of the chairman and members of the EFCC.

According to the report, “Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for 40m at N20million naria per annum. This accommodation was not paid from commission’s finances but by one Umar Mohammed (Air Commodore/Rtd), a questionable businessman and ally of subject who has subsequently been arrested by this service.

The DSS submitted that the circumstances which led to Magu’s return to EFCC and his closeness to Lamorde “is a clear indication of his culpability in the corrupt tendencies of the Lamorde led EFCC.”

“The circumstances surrounding Magu’s return to EFCC at the former Chairman, Lamorde and their close working relationship ever since, is a clear indication of his culpability in the corrupt tendencies of the Lamorde led EFCC,” the report signed by a top notch (name withheld) in the DSS said.

“In December 2010, the Police Service Commission found Magu guilty of “Action prejudicial to state security, withholding EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorized removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a police officer.”

“To cover up his tracks, Magu uses only his police cronies to execute operations,” it said.

The report concluded that “In the light of foregoing, Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption drive of the present administration.”  

Briefing the Senate Press Corp after an executive session of the Senate, the Spokesman of the Senate, Senator (Dr.) Abdullahi Sabi said the nomination of Magu was rejected based on security reports available to the Senate.

“Based on security reports available to the Senate, the Senate cannot proceed to confirm the nomination of Ibrahim Magu Mustapha as the Executive Chairman of the EFCC.

“Accordingly, the Senate hereby rejects the said nomination and has returned the said nomination back to the President for further action”, Sabi said.

On his part, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki said the Senate would continue with the screening of other nominees, since the security reports did not concern them.

“The nominees are hereby referred to the Senate committee on Anti-corruption for screening”, Saraki added.

Those who shall be screened by the Senate standing committee as Members of the EFCC are Nda Sule Moses, Lawan Mamman, Galadanci Imam and Adeleke Rafiu.

TheBrief