EFCC Picks Mohammed Umar To Replace Magu As Acting Chairman

Mr Mohammed Umar, the Director of Operations, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been picked to oversee the affairs of the agency in the absence of Magu.

A top official of the commission disclosed this to the press in Abuja on Tuesday, July 7.

The source, who asked not to be named, said Umar was chosen by the “EFCC’s hierarchy” following the reported suspension of Magu.

According to 1stnews, The official, however, said that the commission had not received any official communication on the reported suspension.

Spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Dele Oyewale, declined comments when contacted to confirm the latest development.

The embattled acting chairman is being interrogated by a presidential panel set up to probe allegations of gross misconduct against him.

Magu appeared before the Ayo Salami-led panel on Monday before he was reportedly taken into police custody.

Meanwhile, the EFCC official has defended Magu against the allegations, saying they were not true.

However, the source said his travails also emanated from complaints by the staff of the commission over poor welfare and delay in promotion.

“I can tell you that all the allegations against Magu are untrue. I see the whole situation as a power play.

“Preparations for the 2023 elections are another reason they want Magu out because he knows too much.

“Another thing is the problem of staff welfare, imagine somebody like me for close to 10 years; I have not gained any promotion.

“We are not happy about the news of his suspension, but I know that members of staff are not happy with him,” the official said.

The bill, which the Academic Staff Union Of University (ASUU), opposes, classifies sexual harassment offences as follows; grabbing, groping, sexting, winking, among others.

Penalties vary according to the offence committed with a jail term of close to 14 years. Also, there is no option of fine.

While presenting the report of the committee; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Bamidele Opeyemi noted that in the bill; there is nothing like mutual consent as contained in clause 7.

“It has been made an offence by removing mutual consent as a defence in the prosecution of sexual harassment cases in tertiary educational institutions and maintaining a relationship that exists between educators and students with the aim of making our tertiary institutions conducive centres of learning.”