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Tag: Magu

  • [JUST IN] EFCC arrests fake Magu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has arrested one Felix Idowu for allegedly impersonating its Acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu.

    In a statement on Wednesday, Spokesman of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspect was a real estate agent and graduate of Political Science.

    Uwujaren said Idowu was found with documents which had the forged signature of the EFCC boss, and would be charged to court as soon as investigation was concluded.

    “Prior to his arrest, the EFCC received intelligence report that the suspect, while posing as operative of the EFCC, requested for money in order ‘to kill’ a petition purportedly written against the complainant.

    “The EFCC swung into action by asking the complainant to play along. In the process, Idowu was asked to liaise with the complainant’s personal assistant, who was an EFCC undercover agent.

    “While interacting with the undercover agent, the suspect was lured to a popular supermarket in Wuse 2, Abuja, where he was arrested on Monday, April 30.

    “Upon search of his Lexus EX 350 car, a lot of documents were recovered including letter of investigation activities on a fake EFCC letter-head paper with ‘Ref No: CTGI/6/vol.1’.

    “Also found was a letter of petition written to EFCC with ‘EFCC stamp received’ bearing Magu’s forged signature,’’ he said.

    Recall that impersonation of Magu and other officials of the EFCC by fraudsters has been a source of worry to the commission.

    The commission has issued several alerts in recent times to warn members of the public against fraudsters using Magu’s name for extortion.

    The latest arrest came barely two years after the commission apprehended three suspects for a similar offence on Aug. 9, 2016.

    On Sept. 16, 2016, a High Court sitting in Gombe sentenced one Muhammad Adamu to 14 years in prison for posing as an EFCC operative to extort the state’s Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board.

  • How Air Force personnel, others robbed Magu’s farm house –Police

    The Police yesterday, revealed how two Air Force personnel, and two other suspects allegedly robbed the farm house of Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu. It will be recalled that gunmen had, on December 12, 2017, invaded the farm house located at Karshi, a suburb Abuja, killing Sergeant Haruna Sarki, who was on guard duty.

    Parading the suspects at the Force Headquarters, Deputy Force Public Relations Officer (DFPRO), Mr. Aremu Adeniran, a Superintendent of Police, said two Air Force personnel, whose names were not mentioned, were facing disciplinary action initiated by the authorities of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF),

    This was as Adeniran further disclosed that a dismissed Lance Corporal, Vincent Michael, was also involved in the act. Other suspects paraded were, Inalegwu Omikpa, and Francis Ochife.

    “The other two gang members are Air Force personnel currently facing disciplinary action with the Nigeria Air Force,” Adeniran said. According to the spokesman: “On December 12, 2017, some suspected criminals/armed men invaded the Farm House of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Mr Ibrahim Magu at Barkin Uza Karshi Area of Abuja, killing a Police Sergeant, Haruna Sarki, who was on guard duty.

    They also carted away two AK47 rifles belonging to the police personnel on duty. Adeniran noted: “Consequent on the aforementioned, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris directed the IGP Intelligence Response Team to carry out a discreet investigation into the invasion/ attack, arrest and bring perpetrators to justice. The above mentioned principal suspects were arrested by the police team in their various criminal hideouts after an unrelenting trail of the perpetrators.

    Two AK47 rifles carted away from the slain sergeant and one other police personnel on duty were recovered from the possession of a member of the gang in his village in Otukpo, Benue State.”

    Adeniran further disclosed that: “The suspects have confessed to the various criminal roles they played in the commission of the crime. Investigation is ongoing to arrest other members of the gang still at large. All suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

    The renewed commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to guarantee protection of lives and property across the country remains unequivocal and unwavering.” Items also recovered were two AK47 rifles, recovered police rifles, two mobile phones, two magazines and 60 rounds of AK47 ammunition.

  • Police promote Acting EFCC Chairman Magu, 17 others

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Friday announced the promotion of 18 senior officers.

    Amongst them was Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. He was promoted to the rank of a full commissioner from deputy commissioner.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Magu was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 as acting chairman of the anti-graft agency. However, despite repeated nominations to the National Assembly, lawmakers declined to ratify his appointment. The president has, however, kept him in the position.

    The new promotion was contained in a statement by Ikechukwu Ani, a spokesperson for the PSC.

    Read the full statement below:

     

    PRESS RELEASE

    PSC APPROVES PROMOTION OF 18 SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS, OSHODI-GLOVER, DIG, GHAZZALI MOHAMMED, PEACE IBEKWE ABDALLAH, AIGs, MAGU, ONYEAGORO, GBOLARUMI, CPs

    The Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of eighteen senior Police Officers. The promotions are one of the high points of the Commission’s 27thPlenary Meeting which ended in Abuja today, Friday, April 20th, 2018. The Meeting was presided over by the Commission’s Chairman Sir. Dr. Mike Mbama Okiro, a retired Inspector General of the Police.

    The Commission approved the promotion of AIG Agbola Oshodi-Glover in charge of Zone 11, Osogbo, to the next rank of a Deputy Inspector General of Police.

    CP Ghazzali Mohammed, Commissioner of Police, Administration, DLS, Force Headquarters and CP Peace Ibekwe Abdallah, former Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command and currently, CP, Force Intelligence Bureau, Force Headquarters were promoted to Assistant Inspector General of Police.

    The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, DCP Ibrahim Mustapha Magu, DCP Ebere C. Onyeagoro, DCP Administration, Kaduna State Command and DCP Moshood O. Gbolarumi, DCP Maritime, Lagos, were promoted to the next rank of Commissioner of Police.

    Other promotions approved by the Commission include; one Assistant Commissioner of Police to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Nine Chief Superintendents of Police to Assistant Commissioners of Police, one Deputy Superintendent of Police to Superintendent of Police, one assistant Superintendent of Police to Deputy Superintendent of Police and one Inspector to Assistant Superintendent of Police.

    Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Okiro congratulated the newly promoted officers and urged them to rededicate themselves to the service of their fatherland. He assured them that the Commission will continue to pay attention to their basic entitlements which include regular promotions.

    Ikechukwu Ani

    Head, Press and Public Relations

    Friday, April, 20th, 2018

  • Reps summon Osinbajo, Magu, Oyo-Ita over controversial suspension of NEMA officials

    The House of Representatives has summoned Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to appear before its Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management to answer questions on the controversial suspension of six senior officers of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

    The House ordered that the suspended officers should be recalled while EFCC investigate the case against them.

    Also to appear alongside the Vice President is Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu, the Head of Service Federal Civil Service of the Federation (HoFCS) Winifred Oyo-Ita and the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) Ahmed Idris.

    The vice president was, however, asked to send a representative, if his schedule would not allow him.

    The summon was moved as a motion by Umar Bago (APC, Niger) and was carried by the committee members.

    The suspended officers are the Director of Finance and Accounts, Akinbola Gbolahan; Acting Director, Special Duties Mr. Umesi Emenike and Director, Risk Reduction Alhassan Nuhu.

    Others are the pilot in charge of Air Ambulance and Aviation Unit, Mr. Mamman Ibrahim; Chief Maintenance Officer Mr. Deji and Director of Welfare Mr. Kanar Mohammed.

    At the day three of the investigative hearing on the activities of the agency yesterday , the Ali Isa-led committee said the process that led to the suspension has to be explained by the vice president being the chairman of NEMA Governing board.

    NEMA DG Abubakar Maihaja had told the committee that the decision to suspend the six officers was taken by the council after it was inaugurated by the VP.

    When asked if the suspension was verbal or formal and if procedure as prescribed by public service rules was followed, Maihaja responded that suspension was not verbal.

    He said: “The report of the EFCC that led to the decision to suspend the officers was not released to the members though they were allowed to scrutinise it.

    “At the meeting, members were not allowed to take the letter out but allowed to go through it because the EFCC investigation is still ongoing.

    “The reality is that the document is confidential and the chairman made us aware that if giving out, the information therein would be exposed.

    “The instruction for the suspension wasn’t verbal by the VP but a meeting of governing council gave the approval. It was a resolution of the governing council.

    “If the VP had wanted to give instruction verbally, he would have done that before the inauguration of the council…

    “The council took the decision and taking instruction from the council, I signed the letters but the EFCC investigation is still ongoing”.

    On the N5 billion Northeast intervention fund, the DG said no money of such amount was received by NEMA, except N829 million for logistics and security.

    He, however, confirmed that food items worth the said amount was received and N829 million was used for the movement of the materials to the region.

    “I received items not money worth N5,036 billion and we were instructed to pick them from the stores. Some companies have not, however, delivered theirs like Golden Agric Input Ltd.

    “Food items were reviewed from Dangote, Bua Flour Mills and others and we have distributed and still distributing. Fifty per cent was moved to Maiduguri, 20 per cent to Yobe and 10 to Bauchi Gombe and Taraba.

    The DG was also questioned on the eligibility of some companies engaged for the supply of 10,000 metric tonnes of rice valued at N3 billion.

    “We engaged the companies used under emergency as proscribed under Emergency Act,” he said.

    On the qualification of officers that signed contract award documents, he said, “To the best of my conviction and according to the records, we had no procurement officer as at that time but planning officers, who were not qualified to carry out such assignment.”

    Several organisations relevant to the investigation were also asked to appear before the committee to give information that would aid the exercise.

  • EFCC committed to judicial precepts — Magu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is committed to judicial precepts in the discharge of its functions as anti-corruption watchdog.

    Its Acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, stated this in Enugu on Monday, according to a statement by the commission’s spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren.

    Uwujaren said Magu spoke when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Ngozi Emehelu, in Enugu.

    “We are here to thank you for all your support and also to solicit for more, knowing that we are not above board and will constantly need directions and guidance in the work we do.

    “The judiciary is instrumental to the Commission’s achievement, and your support is highly needed for continued success.

    “We do not claim monopoly of knowledge, and we are seeking not just your support but also that of Nigerians to do the needful so that the country will move on positively,” Magu was quoted as saying.

    Responding, Justice Emehelu expressed delight at the visit of the EFCC boss whom she described as a formidable and hardworking man.

    She assured her guest that the judiciary was poised to support EFCC in its “commendable efforts at eradicating corruption from the country”.

    “The work we do and yours are very similar because they are service and public oriented jobs that call for closer synergy between not just the EFCC and the judiciary but also among other law enforcement agencies.

    “We are ready and willing to support you but on the basis of mutual respect.”

    Describing the judiciary as the balance between the legislature and executive, the chief judge said the need for speedy trial of criminal cases could not be over-emphasised.

    The judiciary, according to her, is committed to effective justice delivery and speedy determination of cases.

    Magu later addressed personnel of the Enugu zonal office of the commission during which he urged them to see their official assignment as a divine call to serve humanity.

    He advised the staff to jealously protect the integrity of the EFCC by shunning underhand dealings.

    “You must be committed to your work and not mind the temptations because we will not spare anyone who is corrupt.

    “You cannot be fighting corruption and be corrupt,” he said, according to the spokesman.

    Uwujaren said Magu’s working visit to the South-East began on Saturday with a meeting with members of the EFCC/CSO/Labour Coalition.

     

  • No ulterior motives behind writing Magu on recovered loots – Adeosun

    The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun on Sunday insisted that there was no ulterior motives behind writing the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on cash assets recovered by the agency between May 2015 and January 2018 as speculated in the media.

    Recall that a memo dated February 9 and signed by the minister was addressed to Magu to notify him of records of cash asset recoveries in the custody of the anti-graft agency based on information available to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

    In the memo, Adeosun said the Ministry of Finance had noted that EFCC was using in its computations recovery figures in media reports without reconciling same with the ministry’s records.

    Consequently, the minister asked Magu to ensure the EFCC provided evidence where the cash recoveries it was quoting in the media were deposited or kept for official records reconciliation.

    The letter, which leaked in the media at the weekend, generated huge debate among Nigerians, with some accusing government of insincerity about details of the cash assets recovered from public officers since it came to power in May 2015.

    Despite several official requests by the media and civil society groups to make details of the actual recoveries public, government’s explanation has always been that it was not possible in view of the legal processes involving some of the recovered assets.

    However, on Sunday, Mrs Adeosun through her spokesperson, Oluyinka Akintunde, in a statement said the thrust of the letter to the EFCC acting chairman was to enable government reconcile and harmonise the figures on recovered funds.

    In a three-paragraph statement, Mr Akintunde said: “The attention of the Honourable Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has been drawn to media reports misrepresenting her innocuous letter to the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on cash recoveries by the Federal Government.

    “The minister wishes to state explicitly that the letter dated 9th February, 2018, was a standard letter aimed at improving controls over the recovered funds.

    “There is no ulterior motive behind the letter as alleged in some media reports but to enable the reconciliation and harmonisation of the figures on recovered funds by the government.”

    He said reconciliation of the records of cash asset recoveries was currently ongoing after the EFCC subsequently provided the requested information to the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

     

  • EFCC boss, Magu in N106m BMW bullet-proof car ‘scandal’

    lbrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has allegedly converted to official use a BMW bullet-proof car worth N106 million recovered as a proceed of corruption from the Jonathan administration.

    According to documents seen by TheDetail, the vehicle, a BMW 760 HSS, was among several vehicles acquired under questionable circumstances by the past administration.

    The vehicle was said to have been hidden away at the premises of Gitto Construction Company in Mabushi, Abuja before it was recovered by an EFCC team led by Mohammed Umar Abba – following a petition by some citizens.

    The vehicle was also said to have been originally purchased by the office of the national security adviser for use by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    A source disclosed that the EFCC chairman asked that the BWM 760 HSS be “washed, cleaned and released” for official use when his own official vehicle developed a technical fault.

    According to reports, the vehicle is still an exhibit in an ongoing investigation.

    “It is a clear case of abuse of office and utter disregard for subsisting laws, for Mr Magu to appropriate for his official use, a vehicle that is yet an exhibit in an ongoing investigation,” the source said.

    “The investigation into the BMW 760 HSS bullet-proof vehicle among others is ongoing and the EFCC is yet to secure an interim forfeiture order by any court of competent jurisdiction, talk more of a final forfeiture order.”

    The office of the attorney-general of the federation had asked the EFCC chief to explain the “misappropriation recovered proceeds of corruption for the day to day running of the EFCC, including the training of new cadets and payment of estacodes on foreign trips without recourse to due process”

    In a letter dated February 9, 2018, seen by TheDetail, Kemi Adeosun, minister of finance, also asked Magu to explain the discrepancies in recovered cash assets as indicated by available records of the ministry and the recovery figures in the media reports by the EFCC.

    When contacted for a reaction to the allegation, Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesman, said he could not respond to it.

  • Akeredolu urges Senate to confirm Magu’s appointment as EFCC chairman

    Akeredolu urges Senate to confirm Magu’s appointment as EFCC chairman

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has pleaded with the Senate to confirm Ibrahim Magu as the substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

    Akeredolu, represented by his Deputy, Agboola Ajayi, made the plea on Wednesday in Akure, while playing host to a team from the commission’s zonal headquarters, Benin Office.

    According to him, the Senate should resolve the lingering issue of confirming the appointment of Mr. Magu as EFCC chairman for the benefit of the country.

    The governor said Magu had been in acting capacity as chairman of the commission for more than two years.

    Akeredolu said that EFCC, under the President Muhammadu Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, had achieved a lot in fighting corruption more than the previous governments in the country.

    “To fight corruption is more difficult than the fight against Boko Haram in the northern part of the country.

    “With the record of billions recovered by the commission in the country, it means God is with this country.

    “With the level of massive looting in the country in the past, I believe there is hope for Nigeria to get to the greater height,’’ he said.

    While commending the commission for its achievements in the last two years, he urged the team to extend its offices to states.

    This, he said, would enable the commission to recruit staff with apparatus to aid it to fight corruption at the state and local government levels.

    Earlier, the EFCC Zonal Head, Benin Office, Mallafia Yakubu, called for the support of the state government in the fight against corruption.

    Yakubu said that corruption had led to underdevelopment and employment.

    “We want to join hands with the state government to fight corruption as the commission cannot do it alone,” he said.

    Yakubu also solicited the support of the state government on the need to sponsor programmes at the grassroots to highlight the damage corruption had caused in the country.

     

  • Reps probe Magu behind closed doors over missing NIA’s $44m

    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.

  • FG queries Magu, Keyamo over corruption charges against CCT chairman

    FG queries Magu, Keyamo over corruption charges against CCT chairman

    The Federal Government has issued a query to the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Festus Keyamo over the corruption charges filed against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Mr. Danladi Yajubu Umar in its name.

    In the query dated February 16, 2018 and with Reference No DPP/ADV:368/15 Magu was ordered to make his response to the query available to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Justice on or before Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

    In the query, signed by Mr. Dayo Apata, the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary Magu is to explain what informed the filing of corruption charges against the tribunal chairman having being cleared of corruption allegation two times by the same Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Titled “FR VS Danladi Umar (CR/109/18) request for Briefing,” the query read in part: “The attention of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation was drawn to news report that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed charges of corruption against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon. Justice Danladi Umar, before the FCT High Court. “I am directed by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation to seek clarification from you as to whether the charges were filed on your instruction or directive and if in the affirmative, what is the compelling basis for doing so.

    This clarification becomes imperative in view of the following background facts. “The Commission’s investigation report dated 5th March 2015 addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation stated as follows: “The facts as they are now against Justice Umar raised a mere suspicion and will therefore not be sufficient to successfully prosecute for the defence. “The Commission’s position in paragraph 2(a) above was also maintained and sustained by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation while appearing before the House of Representatives’ Investigative Committee sometimes in 2015 to the effect that report of investigations showed that the allegations against Hon. Justice Danladi Umar were based on mere suspicions.

    “In view of the foregoing, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation requests for your prompt briefing as to the existence of new facts which are contrary to the position in your attached investigation report, sufficient evidence or other developments upon which the prosecution of Hon. Justice Danladi can be successfully based. “Kindly accord this letter top priority while your prompt response within 48 hours from the receipt of same is required in the circumstances.”

    In the same vein, in a separate letter to Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, who was purportedly engaged as a private lawyer by Magu to prosecute the CCT boss was also requested by the AGF to confirm who authorise him to file the corruption charge against Umar. Like Magu the senior Lawyer was given till Tuesday February 20, 2018 to furnish the Office of the AGF in writing detail of who engaged or issued him with authority to file the corruption charges.

    The letter to Keyamo with reference No DPP/ADV:369/15 dated February 16, 2018, which was also signed by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Sectary read in part: “The attention of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation was drawn to news report that you have filed charges of corruption against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon. Justice Danladi Umar, before the FCT High Court.

    “The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation hereby requests that you kindly furnish this office with the details of the instruction or authorization upon which you instituted the case under reference. Kindly accord this letter top priority while your prompt response on or before Tuesday, February 20, 2018 is solicited in this regard.” Although the EFCC in two separate letters to the Federal Government through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation had in 2015 and 2016 cleared Umar of any wrong doing in the alleged N10 million bribery allegation made against him by a defendant, Rasheed Taiwo Owolabi standing trial before him on false asset declaration.

    Upon receipt of the petition from Owolaabi, the EFCC had investigated the petition and sent its report to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) with a Reference No EFCC/EC/SGF/03/56 dated March 5, 2015, personally signed by the then Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde exonerating the CCT boss from the bribery saga.

    The EFCC report received by the office of SGF on March 6, 2015 was categorical that “the facts as they are against Justice Umar raised a mere suspicion and will therefore not be sufficient to successfully prosecute for the offence.” Other EFCC’s documents show that in 2016 a fresh investigation was conducted into the same N10mn bribery allegation and the same anti-graft agency in its second report absolved Umar of any wrongdoing and that the bribery allegation against him remain a mere suspicion. The EFCC’s second report with reference EFCC/P/HRU/688/V30/99 dated April 20, 2016 and submitted to the SGF and signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremo, read in part: “Kindly recall our correspondence of March 5 2015 with Reference EFCC/EC/SGF/03/56 with above subject caption.

    We will like to reiterate the Commission’s position in regard to this matter as earlier communicated to you and state that the allegation levelled against Justice Umar were merely suspicions and consequently insufficient to prosecute the offence.” Finding by PRNigeria revealed that the action of Magu in instituting criminal charges against Umar has caused serious confusion and embarrassment to the Federal Government because the EFCC reports had made clear that the CCT boss had no case to answer. The AGF was said to have been thoroughly embarrassed with the corruption charges because he had already informed the National Assembly that Umar had no corruption case to answer based on the two reports of EFCC to the Federal Government.

    The Federal Government was infuriated by the action of Magu in engaging Keyamo as a private counsel to prosecute the CCT boss in purported corruption charge because, the same Keyamo is the counsel to Rasheed Taiwo Owolabi who is standing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and who made the allegation in the course of his trial on criminal offence.

    However, there are indication that the corruption charge against the CCT boss may be dropped by so as not to cause further embarrassment to government in its fight against corruption.

    A source said the Federal Government has to be consistent in its fight against corruption and that having cleared Umar on two occasions on the same issue, saw no reason to somersault on the issue, hence the need to withdraw the corruption charges.

    The EFCC had on February 2, brought a two-count charge against the CCT Chairman Danladi Yakubu Umar bordering on alleged receipt of N10m bribe from one Rasheed Owolabi Taiwo in the charge signed by Festus Keyamo as a private prosecuting counsel and one Offem Uket an official of EFCC. Umar was accused of receiving N1.8mn through his Personal Assistant, Gambo Abdullahi for a favour to be afterwards shown to the petitioner who was standing trial for a criminal offence before the tribunal. No date has been fixed for arraignment of the CCT boss at the High Court of FCT, Abuja.