Suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has denied reports that he gifted Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo N4 billion.
A former director of strategy and communications under President Goodluck Jonathan administration, Jackson Ude, on Wednesday, alleged that Mr Magu embezzled over N39 billion and gave Mr Osinbajo N4 billion for soft landing.
The report claimed that unnamed sources within the panel investigating the suspended EFCC boss “exposed the vice president’s involvement in the scandal.”
In a statement on Thursday, Mr Osinbajo’s spokesperson, Laolu Akande, described the claims as “false and baseless fabrications.”
The VP, in a letter to the IGP through his lawyers, Taiwo Osipitan, on Thursday, also described the report as untrue and defamatory.
According to different sources close to the investigative panel, however, Mr Magu repeatedly refuted claims that he gave N4bn to Osinbajo.
The sources quoted Magu as saying: “I did not tell the panel that I gave the Vice President N4 billion. Where will I get such money? Do I have access to such funds? It is part of mudslinging. Please clear this. I do not have any control of such cash, I did not order the transfer of N4 billion to the VP or to anybody.
“The name of the Vice President never came up at the panel’s session at all. Since the VP was not an issue, I could not have mentioned that I gave him N4 billion.”
Magu is being probed for alleged misconduct, fraternising with looters, living above his means, insubordination among others.
Head of Operations, Mohammed Umar, has been appointed to replace him in acting capacity.
