The Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Ibrahim Magu has countered the claim by the Department of State Security(DSS) that his wife has two houses in the Maitama area of the Nigerian capital, insisting he has only one house in Abuja.
Magu was responding to the allegations of a national newspaper made against him in a publication published in March 2017, titled: Magu Under Fresh Probe, which claimed two houses located to a high brow area in Maitama, Abuja were traced to his wife.
Magu had sued publishers of the newspaper for series of publications which the EFCC chairman said was libellous and had damaged his character both nationally and internationally.
According to Tribune, the EFCC chairman dragged the publishers of the newspaper before an Ikeja High Court, claiming N5 billion in damages, and also demanding that the newspaper publish an apology and also retract the libellous publications.
“The publication is totally false. Even if I have the money, I wouldn’t buy houses in Maitama,” Magu said while being led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Wahab Shittu.
“They said the houses are located in the Darrubbe and Missouri, Maitama and that they belong to my wife.
“My wife Fatima Yakaka Magu is a civil servant and cannot afford to buy houses in Maitama.
“I am an international man and the publication has damaged my reputation. The name Magu does not only end with me. The publication caused a whole lot of trauma for my lineage,” Magu said.
While being cross examined by counsel to the defendant, Charles Enwelunta, Magu said his wife is not a party in the suit he filed against the defendant.
The case has been adjourned till February 28, 2019 by the presiding judge, Justice Doris Okwobi for further proceedings.
