Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Ibrahim Magu was earlier today interrogated by the House of Representatives committee on public safety and national intelligence over allegations of missing $44 million in the coffers of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
Magu’s session with the committee led by Hon. Aminu Sani Jaja, was however held in an executive session without media coverage.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Aminu Sani Jaja had in his opening remarks at the investigation expressed concern over the controversy surrounding the alleged missing $44million belonging to the NIA.
Jaja told the EFCC chairman that the committee was ready to assist the agency to tackle corruption, which has been the bane of development in the country.
He said he had confidence in the EFCC under the leadership of the Magu to unravel the mystery surrounding the alleged missing $44m, which he confirmed was part of the $289 million earlier discovered at a private residence in Ikoyi, in Lagos.
Responding, Magu assured that he and his team were ready to answer any question relating to the $44million adding that the agency was willing to partner with the House to fight corruption.
“We are willing, the EFCC is willing to partner with the House at all times to fight corruption. And we are here to answer questions on matters relating to the $44million”
According to reports, EFCC boss confirmed to the committee that the money was moved from the NIA’s coffers by the board for safety.
Attempts to get the chairman of the committee to confirm what transpired at the session with the EFCC chairman were not successful.
But a member of the committee said that Magu confirmed that the money was moved from one place to another “but to a place of safety’.
Recall that the immediate past acting DG of NIA. Mohammed Dauda had former SGF, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe over the movement of the missing million. Kingibe was eventually summoned by the House committee alongside members of the presidential committee on restructuring of NIA, who include Mr. Albert K. Horsfall, a former D-G of the State Security Service; Mr. Olaniyi Oladeji, Mr. ZY Ibrahim both former DGs of the NIA and the current DG of NIA, Mr. Abubakar, who was PRP Secretary.