Presidential panel investigating corruption allegations against the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, on Wednesday questioned the embattled anti-graft agency’s boss on properties he allegedly acquired in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
Magu, who has been in police custody since his arrest on Monday, was interrogated for the third time on Wednesday.
More fresh allegations against Magu also emerged as the panel continued its sitting just as he was again detained after Wednesday’s interrogation.
Justice Ayo Salami-led panel, it was learnt, was interested in ascertaining if truly the EFCC boss acquired properties in Dubai, where he was said to have travelled to several times on official and private visits.
The panel was also said to have dwelt on the allegations that Magu diverted N39billion from the recovered loot.
The panel, it was also learnt would carry out forensic examination of the documents recovered from Magu’s house and also do analysis of his earnings and bank records.
According to a security source, “The panel is working to verify allegations that Magu has properties in Dubai and other parts of the world. It is also probing an allegation that funds were diverted from recovered loot.
“I don’t know how far the panel has gone in exploring these interesting angles, but real estate titles and bank records would leave a trail that cannot be hidden. The panel planned to subject documents recovered from Magu’s residence and office to forensic analysis.”
Magu was, however, returned to police custody again on Wednesday after about eight hours grilling by the panel. The embattled acting EFCC boss had spent Monday and Tuesday nights with the police at Garki, Area 10, Abuja.
Magu was accosted by security agents in plain clothes in front of the old EFCC headquarters on Fomella Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, at noon on Monday and compelled to appear before the panel.
He has been in police custody at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Garki, since Monday from where he has been appearing before the panel to respond to questions on the allegations raised against him by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
Again, journalists were barred from the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, venue of the interrogation, just like it happened on Monday and Tuesday when the panel quizzed Magu for several hours.
Some State House reporters who attempted to enter the press gallery located inside the building were politely turned back.
Even those who attempted to park their vehicles in the car park of the facility were asked to make use of other parks within the Presidential Villa.