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Magu: Salami Panel Yet to Submit Report After 94 Days

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By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

Ninety-four days after, Justice Ayo Salami-led investigative panel that probed the suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has not submitted its report to the President.

The panel sat for over 60 days before Magu was served a copy of the 22-point allegations levelled against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami.

President Muhammadu Buhari signed the letter of instrument on July 3, 2020 and named the panel as commission of inquiry to look into alleged mismanagement of recovered assets against Magu; and Magu was arrested on Monday, July 6, 2020 and taken before the panel, while the letter of invitation was made available to Magu on Saturday, August 8.

After exhausting the earlier 45 days given to it to conclude the probe,  the President extended the period of sitting following a request by Justice Salami led panel. The President later granted six weeks extension to the panel to conclude their findings but couple of days after the expiration of the extension last Friday, the panel is yet conclude and submit its report to the President.

According to a source, ”Though the tenure of the panel had expired, Salami and other members have continued to hold sessions in order to enjoy the  sitting allowances and other pecks attached to the assignment.”

But more than 90 days since that period, the panel is yet to have a clear-cut direction or convince observers that it was not established to witch-hunt or persecute individuals regarded as enemies by some top government officials.

A situation that has caused many pundits to raise suspicion over what they described as ”a hiding agenda project.”

The inquiry into Magu’s stewardship is dragging and giving room for speculations
as legal experts are saying that being a panel of inquiry, Justice Salami has no reason to delay such a probe.

The development further prompted one of the leading national newspapers to state in its editorial opinion that, “Whatever may be the issues in this unfortunate saga, the crux of an anti-corruption commitment ought to be a strict adherence to the rule of law. So, the irreducible minimum in the investigation of Magu, and the EFCC, is that there be transparency and that justice be served at the end.


”Therefore, leaving the issue to speculations and conjectures is very much unhelpful. And the manner the Presidential Investigation Committee is being carried out leaves many questions hanging. If for close to six months the panel is still sitting and is not sure of when it would conclude its assignment, is the investigation open-ended?”

The delay by Justice Salami panel to conclude its inquiry and submit its findings to Mr President has continued to stir up suspicion.

Saharareporters, had on Monday, alleged in a news story titled: ”Nigeria’s Attorney-General, Malami, Sets Up Committee To Write Report For Salami-led Panel In Magu’s Probe, ” saying that the report by Malami’s committee will be adopted and submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the online news, ”the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), has constituted an in-house panel to write a report for the Justice Ayo Salami-led investigative panel probing suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu.


Quoting sources, it said that ”the report by Malami’s committee will be adopted and submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was further gathered that the AGF was using his closeness to the President and the inability of Justice Salami to function optimally due to age constraints to turn the entire case on its head in a bid to nail Magu.


Accusing the panel of bias, another lawyer representing Magu, Wahab Shittu, in a letter dated September 4, 2020, called for Malami to appear before the panel to ensure a fair hearing.

But Malami declined to honour Justice Salam’s invitation to appear before the panel to substantiate the allegations he made against Magu, instead he wrote a letter where he gave reasons for his refusal.

CRIME

Police Detain 2 Suspects, Recover 25 Stolen Phones in Borno

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The Nigerian Police Command in Borno has apprehended two suspects and recovered 25 stolen mobile phones during a stop-and-search operation along Damboa Road, in Maiduguri.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

Daso explained that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubako, and Ibrahim Mohammed, were intercepted by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Dec.

10 while riding a tricycle.

He said that during the search, the operatives uncovered various mobile phones reportedly stolen from individuals across communities and villages along the Borno -Adamawa State border.

He identified some of the communities as Mubi, Tashan Alade, Miringa, Kwaya Kusar, and Biu Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesman said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to snatching the phones from their victims.

“The police have initiated efforts to return the recovered devices with their rightful owner.

“Also, the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.

Daso reiterated the commitment of the Police Commissioner in the state, Yusufu Lawal, to maintain public safety during the Yuletide season. (NAN)

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CRIME

Niger Police Command Arrests Three Suspects over Assault on Council Boss

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From Dan Amasingha, Minna

Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State,  Danlami Abdullahi  Saku was assaulted and seriously  injured over his inability  to settle  a campaign  loan he obtained,  the State Police  Command said three suspects were now in their  custody  over the incident.

Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun  in a release on Wednesday said  On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.

Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer,   the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.

He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.

A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.

The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.

The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.

“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.

“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”

The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.

However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.

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CRIME

Chief Imam’s Sallah Ram Stolen in Jos

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There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.

Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.

An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.

Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.

He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.

The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.

We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.

“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”

Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.

He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.

“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.

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