Arms Deal: EFCC Boss, Magu Explains Why Jafaru Was Released, Metuh Still Held

EFCC Boss, Magu 

The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, on Monday faulted those accusing the commission of double standards in the treatment of suspects.

Magu, who was reacting to insinuations about alleged double standards in the treatment of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and associate of President Muhammadu Buhari, retired Colonel Jafar Isa, and the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, said the two cases were quite different.

There had been allegations that the EFCC was not hard on Isa by allowing him to go home about eight hours after his arrest over the $2.1 billion arms deal, while Metuh has been held by the Commission since Tuesday.

While Metuh was alleged to have collected N400 million out of the money meant for the purchase of arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgency from a former National Security Adviser, retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Isa received N170 million.

But explaining the rationale behind allowing Isa to go home to online publishers under the aegis of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers on Monday in Lagos, Magu said when the retired Army officer was interrogated by the operatives of the Commission, he owned up to collecting the money and immediately returned N100 million out of it.

Magu said Isa has promised to refund the balance on an agreed date.However, in the case of Metuh, Magu said he refused toagree to the refund of any part of the money.

Rather, Metuh threatened to go on hunger strike, the EFCC boss said.Magu added: “The fact that we have been able to retrieve some money from him (Isa) does not mean he may not be prosecuted

.“But in the case of Metuh, he simply threatened to go on hunger strike.“That won’t change anything.”Magu equally explained that the Commission does not hold any suspect beyond the legally allowed time.

He said when it becomes necessary to hold any suspect beyond the legally allowed time, an order of the court is sought.He said: “We do not do anything outside what the law says.”