BREAKING: IGP Withdraws All Policemen At EFCC, Deploys New Officers

The Inspector General of Police, (IGP), Muhammed Adamu, has ordered immediate withdrawal of all police officers serving at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This comes few hours after President Muhammadu Buhari approved the immediate suspension of Ibrahim Magu as the acting Chairman of the EFCC.

Buhari had barred Magu in order to allow for unhindered inquiry by the Presidential Investigation Panel under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act and other relevant laws.

The IGP’s directive was passed to the Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Police Mobile Force (PMF), PMF Squadrons one to 79, Force Secretary and Commissioners of Police of all the state commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The IGP also directed that the exact number of policemen withdrawn be replaced with new operatives.

According to the order, only staff of EFCC should be allowed access into the premises, while withdrawn police personnel from PMF 21, 44, 45, 46 and 50 must report to the Force Headquarters by 8:am on Monday, next week.

BIGPEN recalls the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) had earlier stated on Friday in a statement by his spokesman, Umar Gwandu that President Buhari has approved Magu’s immediate suspension.

The statement reads in part: “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate suspension of Ibrahim Magu as Ag. Chairman EFCC in order to allow for unhindered inquiry by the Presidential Investigation Panel under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act and other relevant laws.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has also approved that the EFCC Director of Operations, Mohammed Umar, should take charge and oversee the activities of the Commission pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and further directives in that regards.”

Magu became a suspect undergoing interrogation since Monday before the panel headed by Justice Ayo Salami, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja after Malami’s petition indicted him of about 22 weighty allegations.