Suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has been released from custody.
Counsel to Magu, Tosin Ojaomo Esq of Ojaomo & Ojaomo Chambers, disclosed that Magu regained his freedom Wednesday evening.
“Yes that is correct. This evening (Wednesday)”, she responded to inquiries about Magu’s release by THISDAY.
Magu’s lawyer had written the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, seeking his release.
The IG had replied that Magu’s detention was not authorised by him but the presidential panel and urged the lawyer to redirect his attention to the presidential panel.
A senior advocate of Nigeria, Tayo Oyetibo, had called for Magu’s release urging that his detention should not violate Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution.
Other rights groups also made similar calls.
Magu was arrested by security operatives at the Abuja Zonal office of the commision on his way to a meeting last week Monday.
He was compelled to respond to an invitation to appear before the Justice Ayo Salami-led presidential panel probing the activities of the commision and alleged infractions.
He was later moved to Area 10 Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) of the police in Abuja where he has since been detained.
On June 11, President Muhammadu Buhari affirmed the suspension of Mr Magu and it took effect immediately.
According to a statement from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the presidential directive was to allow for an unhindered inquiry by the Presidential Investigation Panel under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act and other relevant laws.
The Presidency also said that those who see the investigation as a signal that the fight against corruption is failing, have failed to see the point.
