Magu’s office searched by detectives

TRACKING____Some detectives yesterday combed the office of Ibrahim Magu, the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of the ongoing investigation by the Justice Ayo Salami Investigative panel.

It was learnt that a vital computer was retrieved by the investigators.

Also, more EFCC officials, including the acting Director of the Assets Forfeiture and Recovery Management Unit were grilled by the panel.

Also quizzed were some of Magu’s aides.

It was also learnt that the committee sought clarifications on 332 assets recovered by the EFCC.

Some of the aides had their phones screened and profiled.

They were all allowed to go home last night.

But Magu, who was present during the siting, which lasted about 12 hours, did not make any appearance before the committee, it was learnt.

Detectives were at the The EFCC headquarters to search Magu’s office based on intelligence, it was also learnt.

A source said: “The detectives frisked the office and went away with the main desktop computer suspected to have some information.

“Two key aides of Magu were later asked to appear before the panel for some clarifications. They were there till about 9.30pm.

“Apart from Magu’s direct aides, the EFCC’s acting Director, Directorate of Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Management, Mr. Aliyu Yusuf, interacted with the Salami panel.

“I think Aliyu Yusuf’s summons was in respect of the 332 assets recovered from suspects by the commission. The panel is demanding comprehensive details on the assets which have attracted public interest.

“The committee was very strict in sitting behind closed doors by ensuring that only those needed were allowed to meet with the team.”

Sections 29, 30, 31 and 32 and 33 of the EFCC Establishment Act provide guidelines on assets forfeiture and recovery management.

The sections (29) read: “Where:

(a) the assets or properties of any person arrested for an offence under this Act has been seized; or

(b) any assets or property has been seized by the Commission under this Act, the Commission shall cause an application to be made to the court for an interim order forfeiting the property concerned to the Federal Government and the Court shall, if satisfied that there is Prima Facie evidence that the property concerned is liable to forfeiture, make an interim order forfeiting the property to the Federal Government.

“30: Where a person is convicted of an offence under this Act, the Commission or any authorised officer shall apply to the court for the order of confiscation and forfeiture of the convicted person’s assets and properties acquired or obtained as a result of the crime already subject to an interim under this Act.

“31: (1) A copy of every final order forfeiting the asset and property of a person convicted under this Act shall be forwarded to the Commission.

(2) Upon receipt of a final order pursuant to this section, the Secretary to the Commission shall take steps to dispose of the property concerned by sale or otherwise and where the property is sold, the proceeds thereof shall be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.

(3) Where any part of the property included in a final order is money in a bank account or in the possession of any person, the Commission shall cause a copy of the order to be produced and served on the manager or any person in control of the head office or branch of the bank concerned and that manager or person shall forthwith pay over the money to the Commission without any further assurance than this Act and the Commission shall pay the money received into the Consolidated Fund of the Federation.

(4) The Attorney-General of the Federation may make rules or regulations for the disposal or sale of any property or assets forfeited pursuant to this Act.

“32: (1) Any person who, without due authorisation by the Commission, deals with, sells or otherwise disposes of any property or assets which is the subject of an attachment, interim order or final order commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of five years without the option of a fine.

(2) Any manager or person in control of the head office or branch of a bank or other financial institution who fails to pay over to the Commission upon the production to him of a final order commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than three years, without the option of a fine.

“33: (1) Where a person is discharged or acquitted by a court of an offence under this Act, the court may make an order of revocation or confirmation as the case may be, of an interim order made pursuant to this Act whichever order is considered just, appropriate or reasonable within the circumstances.

(2) The property may be attached where a discharge is merely given on technical grounds.

(3) Where an interim order is revoked by a court under subsection (1) of this section, all assets and properties of the person concerned shall be released to him by the Commission. “