EFCC: After disgracing ‘corrupt’ Magu, Buhari now wants to promote him?
The Muhammadu Buhari regime is reportedly planning to promote Ibrahim Magu and opposition politicians are not happy about it.
The regime sacked Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after a government panel recommended his removal “for failing to properly account for N431 million security votes/information fund released to the office of the Executive Chairman of EFCC between November 2015 and May 2020,” among other alleged offences.
Despite this indictment, reports in the media suggest that Magu has been listed for elevation to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said such development would make a laughing stock of Buhari’s anti-corruption mantra.
“It is indeed ludicrous, though true to its proclivity to cover corruption, that the Buhari presidency, instead of allowing the law to take its course, is rather rewarding corruption by reportedly planning to promote an individual indicted for treasury looting and compromising of high-profile corruption cases for pecuniary gains,” PDP spokesperson Kola Ologbondiyan said in a statement.
“Our party invites Nigerians to note how the Buhari administration has failed to take disciplinary action against Magu, as recommended by the Salami panel, but seeks to reward him with a promotion in spite of the report by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, which nailed him for alleged diversion of recovered funds and fraudulent sale of assets seized by the EFCC.
“This is in addition to reports by the Department of State Services, DSS, which also stated that Magu had failed ‘the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption stand of the current government.’
“The reports of planned promotion for Magu has heightened apprehension in the public space that certain top officials in the Buhari presidency are overburdened with corruption complicity and fears that a docked Magu would expose their atrocities.
“Nigerians could recall how the counsel to Magu, Wahab Shittu, boastfully declared that he has Magu’s instruction to inform the public that ‘he will be reinstated back to the office.’
“The PDP however calls on the Police Service Commission, PSC, and the Police high command to resist the pressure from the corrupt cabal in the Buhari Presidency to pitch them against Nigerians over Magu but rather commence processes for his prosecution in a court of competent jurisdiction in the interest of justice.
“The PDP further counsels President Buhari not to ‘ease off’ the allegations of corruption against Magu but should make the Justice Salami’s report open and if necessary, prosecute the former EFCC chairman.”
