Presidential panel probing Magu behind closed doors, state house journalists barred

Embattled acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, is facing a panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the allegations of corruption levelled against him.

The panel is sitting at the Conference Centre of the Presidential Villa (Old Banquet Hall) Abuja.

Meanwhile, journalists who went to cover the event about 3.20 pm, were turned back by security personnel.

Even State House journalists were asked to vacate the press centre at the Old Banquet Hall.

Recall that the attorney-general of the Federation, AGF and minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami had recently written to President Muhammadu Buhari on why the EFCC boss should be replaced having been rejected many times for confirmation by the National Assembly.

The former director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura had also written what was said to be damaging reports against Magu to the senate.

In a another development, the DSS has said that it did not arrest the EFCC boss.

The service’s public relations officer, Peter Afunanya, made this known in a statement on Monday.

He added that the DSS has since been inundated with inquiries over the reported arrest of Magu, stressing that the service has no connection with the incident.