Daukigate: Magu explains why Metuh could be held for 15 days

EFCC’s boss Ibrahim Magu has told Nigerians while PDP spokesman Olisa Metuh remains in detention since January 5: he has admitted he collected N400 million; but instead of returning the money, the PDP chieftain decides to go on hunger strike.

Metuh’s fellow inmate, Jafaar Isa, was released yesterday after refunding N100 million of the N170 he got from ex-NSA Sambo Dasuki who stashed away $2.1 billion arms fund—among his friends, relatives, and party men.

Magu told online media publishers in Lagos Monday the opposition’s claim the commission is on a witch-hunt by releasing APC party man Isa, and holding on to Metu, is not true.

“If you are not corrupt, we will not have any cause to invite you. So we only invite corrupt people, no selective,” he said.

“In all the cases, we conduct preliminary investigation. We work hard. If it is company you used, we unveil the profile of the company to see who owns the company. If it’s money, we make sure we follow the money in your account,’ he said.

According to him, the accused are allowed to say their own side of the story, thereby disclose a lot more information not yet known. “So it is very necessary for you to follow up on the information received from the person arrested, to strengthen whatever you have.”

Explaining why the commission is able to hold on to Metuh, Magu said the agency doesn’t keep people more than 15 days. “In fact, in most cases, we obtain relevant court orders. In all cases, if you see we keep somebody, there must be a supporting court order.”

On the PDP allegation the anti-graft agency itself is corrupt, the EFCC acting chairman said he can’t work with anybody who’s corrupt because there’s no moral justification for any one chasing corrupt people when oneself is corrupt.