Snippet Into The ‘Damning’ DSS Report That Labeled Ibrahim Magu, EFCC Chairman ‘Corrupt’

The security report, upon which the Senate yesterday based its rejection of the nomination for confirmation of acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has alleged that the nominee lacked the integrity to head EFCC.

The DSS report, seen by Daily Trust, was signed by Folashade Bello on behalf of the Director-General, Lawal Daura. It was dated October 3, 2016 and addressed to the clerk to the Senate.

The report said Magu failed their integrity test and would eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption drive of the present administration if confirmed.

Among the accusations are that Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40million at N20million per annum.

“This accommodation was not paid for from the commission’s finances but by one Umar Mohammed, a retired Air Commodore, a questionable businessman and ally of the subject who has subsequently been arrested by this service.

“For the furnishing of the residence, Mohammed enlisted the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to award a contract to Africa Energy, a company owned by him to lavishly furnish the residence at the cost of N43million, “it stated.

The service said investigations have revealed that Magu regularly embarks on official and private trips through a private carrier, Easyjet, owned by Mohammed.

“In one of such trips, Magu flew to Maiduguri alongside Mohammed and the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo who was being investigated by the Commission over complicity in funds allegedly stolen by the immediate past Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, “ the DSS said.

The memo also said Magu has maintained a high profile lifestyle. This, the service said, was exemplified by his preference for 1st class air travels.

“On 24th June, 2016, he flew Emirate Airlines 1st class to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj at the cost of N2.9million. This is in spite of Mr. President’s directive to all public servants to fly economy class.

“Investigation also revealed that Magu parades a twin personality. At one level, he is the Czar who has no friends, no favourites and is ready to fight corruption to a standstill.

“However, with a key friend in the person of Mohammed, he had betrayed the confidence reposed on him by the present administration,” the report said.

The DSS in the five page report also said: “Whereas Magu portrays himself as very secretive, he has fostered a mutually beneficial relationship with Mohammed who by his confession, approaches clients for possible exploitation, favours and associated returns. This was facilitated with official secrets divulged by Magu and from which dealings he is believed to have been drawing considerable benefits.

“This was evidenced by the number of official and classified documents he made available to his associates, especially Mohammed. After a search of Mohammed’s premises, a forged letter of the office of the Vice president was recovered, “it stated.

The DSS said the forged letter was a fictitious investigation report from the Vice president to President Buhari, requesting for approval to commence further probe into a matter allegedly involving Minister of state for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu.

“Attached to the letter, were two EFCC letters addressed to the Vice president being investigation reports on the activities of Emmanuel Kachikwu and his brother, Dumebi Kachikwu,” the DSS said.

It also said following the arrest of three former Airforce Chiefs, namely Alex Badeh, Umar and Amosun from whom huge sums of money and property were recovered Umar and Badeh were arraigned but Amosun was spared.

“It was only after the arrest of Mohammed by this service that the EFCC hurriedly arraigned Amosun. Mohammed later confessed that he never wanted Amosun tried, describing him as his former boss and he saw in Magu, a willing accomplice, “it stated.

The report also said in a bid to settle personal scores, Magu placed one Stanley Inye Lawson on a security watch, while in actual fact Lawson was working in the interest of the Federal government.

“However, the action was later expunged following the discovery that Lawson was falsely accused by Magu for personal reasons,” the service said.

The DSS also said its investigation revealed that in August 2008,following a search at his residence during the tenure of Farida Waziri as the EFCC chair, some sensitive EFCC documents were seen at Magu’s disposal.

“He was subsequently redeployed to the police after days of detention and later suspended from the force. In December 2010, the Police Service Commission found Magu guilty of action prejudicial to the state security.” It said.

Magu’s actions that were found to be prejudicial to the security, according to the report are withholding of EFCC files, sabotage , unauthorized removal of EFCC files and act unbecoming of Police officer.

Thus, the Police awarded him with severe reprimand as punishment.

“Notwithstanding, sequel to the appointment of Ibrahim Lamorde as EFCC chairman in 2011, he made the return of Magu to the EFCC a top priority. Both men had worked together at the commission when Lamorde served as head of operations of the agency.

“Magu remained a top official of the commission until he was appointed to succeed Lamorde, “it said.

It added that the circumstances surrounding Magu’s return to the EFCC at the instance of his predecessor, Ibrahim Lamorde and their close working relationship ever since, was a clear indication of his culpability in the allegations of corrupt tendencies of the Lamorde led EFCC.

“To cover his tracks, Magu uses only Police cronies to execute operations. This, coupled with discoveries that such Police cronies have acquired a lot of landed property, lends credence to the questions about his integrity, “the DSS said.

The DSS however cleared the four nominees of the EFCC’s board namely, Ndasule Moses, Lawan Mohammed, Najib Imam and Adeleke Rafiu.