THE interrogation of the embattled acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over the allegations of corruption levelled against him by the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami entered the third day on Wednesday.
The Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential Panel sitting at the State House Conference Hall (Old Banquet Hall), Abuja, had grilled the anti-corruption Czar on Monday and Tuesday over the 21 corruption allegations made against him.
However, the absence of Magu at the EFCC office since Monday has created leadership questions as no one is overseeing the activities of the commission for now.
It was reliably gathered that operatives of the commission were still expecting directives from either President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint who supervises the activities of the place or the embattled acting Chairman to give instructions on who stands in for him in the meantime.
It was gathered that senior officers of the commission have decided to be careful especially as there has not been any pronouncement from the Presidency on the suspension of the acting Chairman.
A source at the commission said, “Technically, the Director of Operations is supposed to act on behalf of the Chairman, but because of the prevailing circumstances, he has to wait for directives although he may attend to some files on behalf of the Chairman.”
Meanwhile, the presidential probe panel continued with its assignment in the Presidential Villa on Wednesday.
As it was the case on Monday and Tuesday, journalists were again barred from gaining access to the venue of the meeting.
An attempt by a journalist to park his car in the car park of the old Banquet Hall venue of the meeting was resisted by a security officer at the gate.
You May Also Read ‘The Broad Day Arrest, Grilling and Detention of Ibrahim Magu: Ephemerality of Power’
He was advised by an official in charge of the vicinity to make use of other car parks.
Another reporter who attempted to access the press gallery, was also politely turned back at the gate.
A presidency source had on Tuesday said the probe was an affirmation that nobody under the present administration is above scrutiny.
The source had also explained that the interrogation of the anti-graft boss is being done to give him the opportunity to clear himself of the weighty allegations levelled against him.
Vanguard gathered that Magu was brought to the venue at about 11:14am from the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, where he has been held since Monday.
He was also joined by his lawyer at the panel for interrogation.
