Presidency: Magu’s Eligibility for Promotion Depends on Probe Outcome

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The Presidency on Thursday said the eligibility of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, for promotion in the Nigerian Police will depend on the outcome of the panel that probed his tenure as EFCC boss.

There had been recent reports that Magu had been penciled down for promotion from his present rank of Police Commissioner to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) by the Police Service Commission (PSC) despite the alleged adverse recommendations of the Justice Ayo Salami panel that investigated the allegations.

But in a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, denying the involvement of President Muhammadu Buhari in the promotion exercise, the Presidency affirmed that Magu’s fate depends on the outcome of the investigation.

It said: “We will be happy if your paper (not THISDAY) can correct the misinformation published, that President Buhari has ordered the promotion of Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Magu.

“As you can see, the PDP has taken off from there, issuing one of those thoughtless press releases of theirs. President Buhari, or any Nigerian President for that matter is not responsible for promotions in the Police. That is the business of the Police Service Commission, PSC.

“In the case of the gentleman in question, who is currently under investigation, common sense dictates that his eligibility will be determined by that outcome.
“The PSC could have given you the correct position on this if there was an effort to reach them.”

The Police Service Commission (PSC) had on Thursday confirmed the acting appointments of three Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs).

A statement signed by Spokesman of the Commission, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, said it also approved the promotion of police officers including 24 Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs).

It, however, declined to approve the promotion of CP, Ibrahim Magu, former acting Chairman of EFCC pending clearance from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and the Office of the Inspector General of Police.