Nigerians React As DSS ‘Arrests’ EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu

A storm of reactions by reactions by Nigerians has greeted the purported arrest of the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, by the Department of State Services (DSS).

A report monitored on SaharaReporters by Naija News says the EFCC Chairman was arrested over allegations that he owns four properties and that he was allegedly transferring funds abroad through a third party.

Magu, who was arrested at the Wuse II office of the DSS in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on Monday afternoon, is undergoing interrogation at the DSS Headquarters In Aso Drive.

Naija News recalls that the DSS had in a 2016 report, accused Magu of living in a N40m mansion paid for by one Umar Mohammed, a retired air commodore who is allegedly involved in shady deals.

The DSS report had said that: “In December 2010, the Police Service Commission (PSC) found Magu guilty of action prejudicial to state security – withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorised removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a police officer, and awarded him severe reprimand as punishment.

“Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40m at N20m per annum. This accommodation was not paid [for] from the commission’s finances, but by one Umar Mohammed, air commodore retired, a questionable businessman who has subsequently been arrested by the secret service.

“For the furnishing of the residence, Magu enlisted the Federal Capital Development Authority to award a contract to Africa Energy, a company owned by the same Mohammed, to furnish the residence at the cost of N43m.

“Investigations show that the acting EFCC chairman regularly embarked on official and private trips through a private jet owned by Mohammed,”the DSS report said.

Moments after the news of the purported arrest of Mr Magu, Nigerians took to the micro-blogging site, Twitter, to air their opinions on the matter.

Naija News captured some of the reactions below…

During my interview with @SeunOkin on @ChannelsTV last night. I said Magu, Chairman of @officialEFCC is allegedly corrupt. And early this morning DSS arrested him. Don’t play with my intelligence. I have spies in Buhari’s residence! #BuhariTormentor https://t.co/nOV8WrmNwR

— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) July 6, 2020

Chronicles of Magu's kleptomania

1.Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40m at N20m per annum

2.Magu furnished his apartment wit N43 million

3.Magu is always seen in company of corrupt folks who are on d radar

4.Magu flies first class or mosttimes private jets

— DEMAGOGUE PhD.?senior advocat? (@von_Bismack) July 6, 2020

Only one man can save Magu right now … pic.twitter.com/nq4i3w6f0T

— Being Human is not Enough (@realdanielemeka) July 6, 2020

A few things:

1. @bukolasaraki’s 8th Senate refused to confirm Magu in 2016 bcos several DSS reports indicted him.

2. Despite this, Buhari kept him in office in an illegal ‘acting capacity’ for 4 years.

3. This is not about corruption, but about the proceeds of corruption. https://t.co/jQH5Lxmty0

— Ose Anenih (@ose_anenih) July 6, 2020

Have we ever had a longer ‘acting’ anything than Magu?

— Ebuka Obi-Uchendu (@Ebuka) July 6, 2020

Somebody said DSS saw hangout app on Magu’s phone. ???

— Olúyẹmí Fásípè ?? (@YemieFASH) July 6, 2020

I heard DSS arrested Magu of EFCC for alleged money laundering. When they say everybody na thief, e get why.

— uncle DEEN™ ? (@officialmrdeen) July 6, 2020

Magu was schooled to the game and still didn't know his duty.

He didn't stay clean.

Not my words. A paraphrase of Puff & B.I.G

— Great Oracle (@AbdulMahmud01) July 6, 2020

How can the person in charge of dealing with corruption & corrupt people be arrested for the same thing he claimed to be curbing?

If It’s true that Ibrahim Magu (EFCC Boss) is arrested by DSS,then the President & his advisers don’t rate us at all.

Are we a joke to these people?

— Seanklean (@Seankleann) July 6, 2020

DSS Boss to Magu in their interrogation office after they saw the huge sums of money he diverted. pic.twitter.com/nthXAk1JOL

— Lenin (@BrianJDennis) July 6, 2020