Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu told a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja that he has only one house in Karo, Abuja.
Mr Magu explained that this was contrary to two houses the Department of State Security (DSS) claimed his wife has in Maitama, Abuja, adding that the DSS or any other government agency never investigated him for any allegations.
He testified before Justice Doris Okuwobi while responding to allegations by The Sun newspapers in a publication of March 25, 2017, titled: Magu under fresh probe over two Abuja mansions, in which it claimed that two houses located in Maitama, Abuja were traced to his wife.
Magu then instituted suit against the newspaper for the publication which he said was libelous and had damaged his character nationally and internationally.
He is claiming N5 billion damages and asking the court to order The Sun to apologise and retract the said publication.
Led-in evidence by his counsel Wahab Shittu, he (Magu) told the court that the publication is totally false, adding: “Even if I have the money, I wouldn’t buy houses in Maitama.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Magu has described the role of the media in the fight against corruption as very strategic, saying the media could either make or mar it.
The acting chairman made this known on Thursday while delivering a speech during a high level strategy session on the role of media in anti-corruption campaign in Abuja.
Magu was represented by the commission’s acting spokesperson Tony Orilade.
