TheCable

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has refuted claims that Idayat Hassan, its director, called for the arraignment of Ibrahim Magu, suspended acting chairman of the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a rejoinder signed by Nnenna Ibeh, its senior communications officer, CDD said Hassan never made the claim as reported.

Ibeh she did not speak to any media organisation on Magu’s arrest or probe.

“The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) hereby issues this rejoinder to refute claims that our Director Idayat Hassan called for the arraignment of the recently suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu,” he said.

“CDD hereby states unequivocally that the attribution that the allegations against the EFCC Chairman were not good for the image of the country, did not come from her.

“For avoidance of doubt, our Director never made any of those claims ascribed to her in the report. It was a rude shock for us to read about this alleged statement when the Director never granted any such interview.

“At no point did the Director speak to a media organisation either online or offline on the issue of the arrest probe of the Acting Chairman of the EFCC by the Presidential Panel.”

Magu had been arrested on Monday and whisked before a panel probing allegations of gross misconduct against the EFCC under him.

He was alleged to have refused to subject himself to the supervision of the office of the attorney-general.