President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Ibrahim Magu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, to succeed Ibrahim Lamorde as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in acting capacity.

Lamorde, who was appointed four years ago by former President Goodluck Jonathan and took over from Farida Waziri, is said to be heading for his terminal leave prior to the completion of his tenure.

The former EFCC boss had seen the last few months of his tenure dogged by controversy, especially following allegations of diversion of up to N1 trillion recovered from suspects or forfeited by convicts.

He was invited by the Senate in August following a petition by a whistle blower, George Uboh, who claims to possess evidence that Lamorde and others misappropriated asset, monies and properties recovered from suspects.

Before his replacement, Lamorde had been invited by the Senate Ethics and Privileges committee to appear before it on Tuesday to defend himself against allegations of corruption

Magu, his replacement, is one of the EFCC’s most experienced investigators and until his appointment headed the Governance Unit of the anti-graft agency.