Magu’s woes worsen *IG ignores bail request, withdraws security

It was more tales of woes around Ibrahim Magu, embattled former Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as his appeal to the Inspector General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Adamu to allow him to breathe the air of freedom, seems to have been ignored.

Instead, the IG is said to have ordered the withdrawal of policemen attached to him, thus stripping him of the last vestige of officialdom and power, few hours after President Muhammadu Buhari, finally confirmed his suspension.

The officers guarding the official and personal houses of the former EFCC boss have been withdrawn following a signal to the Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Police Mobile Force (PMF), PMF Squadrons One to 79, Force Secretary, Adamu directed the redeployment of the mobile policemen at the EFCC.

While ordering those withdrawn to report at the force headquarters in Abuja on Monday morning, the IGP said only the staff of EFCC should be allowed access into the commission’s premises.

The President had on Friday approved the suspension of Magu and the appointment of Mohammed Umar as Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Umar, who is the Head of Operations of the anti-graft agency, is to overseer the commission pending the conclusion of the investigation against the erstwhile chair, Ibrahim Magu, over 22 allegations, according to a statement by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The statement signed spokesman, Umar Gwandu, read in part: “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate suspension of Ibrahim Magu as Ag. Chairman EFCC in order to allow for an unhindered inquiry by the Presidential Investigation Panel under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act and other relevant laws.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has also approved that the EFCC Director of Operations, Mohammed Umar, should take charge and oversee the activities of the Commission pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and further directives in that regard.”