ONNOGHEN: EFCC boss Magu briefs Buhari

The acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari has assured him that he will soon be communicated on matters relating to the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen.

He told Buhari that investigations being carried out by the anti-graft agency on the embattled CJN was still ongoing.

He stated this in a letter with reference number EFCC/EC/P/01 and dated January 30, 2019, which was revealed to newsmen on Tuesday by Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) first national spokesperson, Imo Ugochinyere.

The alleged letter was entitled, ‘Interim investigation report: Alleged case of bribery, corruption and money laundering.’

In the letter, the acting EFCC boss based the investigation on an intelligence report which he said alleged that Onnoghen was in possession of huge Naira and foreign currencies that were far above his known legitimate source of income.

He listed the various monies discovered in bank accounts linked to the suspended CJN.

According to Magu, the investigation on Onnoghen was started even before he was appointment as the CJN, adding that following the appointment the investigation was paused because of the commission’s inability to get his Assets Declaration Form from the Code of Conduct Bureau to enable it to conduct further investigation into his assets.

He further claimed that the anti-graft agency’s inability to invite Onnoghen for interview to confront him on the findings also posed a challenge.

Magu added that as a public figure, the commission refrained from making the investigation public and so did not invite other suspects who featured in his statement of account for questioning.

He then demanded for a special investigation team be set up to carry out further investigation into the matter.

Part of Magu’s alleged letter read, “For speedy investigation, a special investigation team which will include lawyers and investigators will be constituted to specifically investigate allegations levelled against the suspect. The investigation is expected to be concluded within a short time frame.

“There is need to get the Asset Declaration Form of the suspect from the Code of Conduct Bureau for further investigation and to determine his net worth.

“Invitation of all individuals seen to have featured in his statements of account as having sent money to his account or received.

“Invitation of other individuals who paid money into the suspect’s Standard Chartered Bank account for interview.

READ ALSO: Opposition parties claim Nigerian govt wants to force CJN Onnoghen to resign ‘at gun point’

“Determination of the source and mode of payments of the deposits into the SCB investment account held by the suspect with the aim of unraveling the individuals/entities that have given funds to the suspect over the years and expose his other sources of income.

“It is no doubt indicative of the fact that the suspect must have been involved in bribery and corruption as well as using some corporate entities in perpetrating his money laundering activities.

“Your Excellency, investigation is still ongoing and further developments will be communicated.”

The opposition parties had also on Tuesday alleged that the EFCC was planning to arrest Onnoghen this Wednesday and that Buhari’s government plans to force him to “resign at a gunpoint.”

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