EFCC: Surprise As Magu Lists Presidential Villa, FIRS, Others Who Purchased Vehicles From Him

The suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu has revealed that some of the cars and properties for which he is standing trial for their alleged mismanagement were bought off by the presidential villa and other ministries and agencies of the government.

Magu revealed this in a letter addressed to the Justice Ayo Salami-led panel titled, ‘Re: Alleged Case of Conspiracy, Enrichment, Abuse of Public Office and Other Infractions,’ where he explained what happened to some of the vehicles recovered by the EFCC under his watch.

According to him, the Presidential Villa, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, as well as the Federal Inland Revenue Services, are some of the government establishments that benefitted from the vehicle sales.

The suspended EFCC boss added that some of these agencies had not paid for the vehicles but there was an arrangement in place for the money to be deducted from their financial allocation.

“On allocation of vehicles to some government agencies through special auction with presidential approval. The beneficiary agencies are: the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management of which the valued price is to be debited from their allocation; State House, National Commission for Refugees and Displaced Persons; Federal Inland Revenue Service and National Directorate of Employment,” he said.

Magu’s revelation is a response to the special investigative panel’s request for him to explain how some of the vehicles and houses recovered by EFCC were auctioned as well as his inability to account for the interest accrued on the N550bn recovered funds.

The suspended EFCC boss also added that about 450 other vehicles were yet to be disposed of, though the anti-graft agency had got the presidential approval to do so and the vehicles valued by appropriate government agencies.

“The commission presently has presidential approval to dispose over 450 forfeited vehicles located in Lagos and Abuja. The vehicles have been valued by the National Automotive Council Valuers and the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. But no sale/disposal has been conducted yet,” Magu stated.

Some of the houses that had been permanently forfeited to the Federal Government by looters have also been handed over to government agencies like the Voice of Nigeria, North -East Development Commission and the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate while some others with pending court cases are been rented by other government agencies.

“Real properties finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria and allocated to some agencies for official use in line with the Presidential approval are: Voice of Nigeria, National Directorate of Employment, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, North East Development Commission and Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate.

“Properties under interim forfeiture order are rented by the following government agencies: Nigerian Army, Federal Ministry of Finance, Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

“Other agencies of government that have approached the commission to rent properties under interim forfeiture order include: National Human Rights Commission and National Council for Arts and culture.”

Meanwhile, as previously reported by Naija News, the attempt by Magu’s lawyer, Wahab Shittu, to submit the letter to the panel was rejected.

A source said the panel wondered why the lawyers came up with the defence when Magu had not even been presented with the allegations.

It will be recalled Magu is been questioned by the panel over allegations of gross abuse of office, financial mismanagement and insubordination levelled against him by Abubakar Malami, Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney-General.

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