Magu’s saga: Panel’s updates so far, shocking, Presidency says

THE Presidency, on Sunday, said Nigerians should prepare for surprises as the panel probing the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, gets ready to submit its report.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme on Sunday.

According to Shehu, the Presidency has been receiving some little updates from the Justice Ayo Salami-led panel and the findings will surprise Nigerians.

He, therefore, said Nigerians should discountenance the outbursts of certain persons who have raised questions about the probe.

While reacting to earlier claims by Magu’s lawyers that their client was only being witch hunted with the ongoing probe, the presidential spokesman said, “I guess this is a question for the Justice Ayo Salami panel and I must say that panel is composed of some of this country’s most honoured people with integrity who will do the right thing.

“I am not going to pre-empt the panel investigation, but I’ll just advise Nigerians to hold their hearts in their hands. By the time they are done with this job and they come out with the reports, prepare yourselves for surprises.

“I don’t know what will come out, but if the sense we are getting from what is being done over there is anything to go by, I think that Nigerians should not be confused by any outbursts by anybody.”

Shehu said Magu’s probe could be viewed as a temporary embarrassment to President Muhammadu Buhari, but in the end, the government would be vindicated.

The panel is investigating over 20 allegations levelled against Magu.

Among the many allegations brought against Magu is that he bought a house in Dubai worth over N550m while the interest accrued to N550bn recovered funds could not be accounted for.

The Presidency had suspended Magu and about 11 directors of the EFCC to allow for a seamless investigation.