Magu kicks as Salami panel recommends sacking

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry led by Justice Ayo Salami (retd) set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has submitted an interim report to the President.

The report was said to have recommended Magu’s sacking.

A report by an online medium, TheCable, stated that the President was asked to appoint a new chairman for the anti-graft agency.

A top source in the police told Saturday PUNCH that although the panel was still probing Magu, testimonies and documents from witnesses so far were enough to make it recommend the removal of the suspended EFCC boss.

A police source who is privy to the investigation but who pleaded anonymity because government has yet to take a decision on the matter said,  “The Salami panel has been sending interim reports to the President. Its latest report, however, recommends Magu’s sacking from the EFCC and possible prosecution.”

When asked why the report was sent when Magu had not yet opened his defence, the police officer said, “But Magu has been part of the process. He has been attending sittings and has even been given the opportunity of cross-examining some witnesses.

“The interim report is for the President alone and is to keep him abreast of the activities of the panel.”

However, Magu’s lawyer, Wahab Shittu, said Justice Salami had informed him that no such report had been submitted to the President.

Shittu said Magu had yet to open his defence and that it would be unjust for the panel to recommend his sacking.

– Punch