The Nigerian Government said Magu’s suspension is to “allow for unhindered inquiry” by the panel investigating allegations of corruption against the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“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,” Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations in the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, said in a statement on Friday.

Magu was arrested on Monday by a combined team of Department of State Services (DSS) personnel and policemen at the Wuse II office of the EFCC to face an interagency committee investigating corruption allegations against him. He was suspended 24-hours after the first probe which extended to about four days.

He was detained at the FCID in Area 10, Abuja, on Monday night on the orders of the committee that also questioned him on Tuesday morning.

Consequently, a deputy police commissioner Mohammed Umar was appointed as EFCC acting chairman while Magu’s trial for alleged corruption continued.

Magu’s arrest came days after attorney-general of the federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami accused the anti-graft czar of gross infractions in a report where he recommended Magu’s sack to Buhari.

Malami also accused the suspended EFCC chairman of insubordination and using his office for gross misconduct.

The attorney general’s stance on Magu was, however, not the first time that the former EFCC chairman’s commitment to fighting corruption in the country has been questioned.

In 2016, the DSS in a report accused Magu of living in a N40m mansion paid for by one Umar Mohammed, a retired air commodore who is allegedly involved in shady deals.

“Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40m at N20m per annum. This accommodation was not paid [for] from the commission’s finances, but by one Umar Mohammed, air commodore retired, a questionable businessman who has subsequently been arrested by the secret service,” the DSS report in 2016 said.

“For the furnishing of the residence, Magu enlisted the Federal Capital Development Authority to award a contract to Africa Energy, a company owned by the same Mohammed, to furnish the residence at the cost of N43m.”