Magu still a police officer, says minister

The former acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, is still on the payroll of the federal government, according to Muhammad Dingyadi, minister of police affairs.

The minister told a television station that the ministry was awaiting federal government’s decision on the fate of the former chairman and senior police officer.

Magu was the acting chairman of the EFCC between 2015 and 2020. He was arrested on July 7, 2020, detained and suspended as the head of the anti-graft agency.

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.

The minister said the panel raised to probe the former chairman had submitted its report to the president, but has had no further communication sent to the ministry and the police force.

He said despite the suspension of Magu as acting EFCC chairman, he is still a police officer under the payroll of the federal government.

“The matter, like you said, is investigated. The man is still in the service; he is still in the force headquarters, and I don’t want to expatiate at this material time as to what is happening to the report of the committee,” he said.

“What I know is that the matter has been submitted to Mr President and as far as I know, no communication has yet been submitted to the ministry or police force on this matter. So we are waiting for the final outcome to be made public.

“Of course, he is still a police officer even though he is under suspension. So what you know is that he used to be the chairman of the EFCC, but he is no longer one.

“But that does not mean he is not within the payroll of the FG. He is still a civil servant, he is still a police officer so until the final decision is taken on the matter. I don’t think I should say more than what I have said on this matter.”