EFCC acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu Faces Corruption charges

Blessed Afolayan

Ibrahim Magu, the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) suspension is clearly humiliating but however shows that the fight to curb corruption is genuine, as said by the presidency on Saturday.

Magu was hounded in Abuja on Monday and presented before a presidential board investigating a 21-point charge of extortion levelled against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Abubakar Malami, the Justice Minister to protect himself.

He was consequently confined at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) while showing up before the board during the week. His home was ransacked and a few reports retrieved.

The EFCC chief, who has since been in detainment while his lawyer has recorded a bail application before the Nigeria Police, was officially suspended on Friday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Noticing that “there are no sacred cows, he said “for those who think they have a halo over their heads, their days are also numbered.”

The following is the full presidency statement:

Presidency Statement on Mr. Ibrahim Magu's the Suspension of

A progression of recorded allegations was made against the Ag. Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Following a starter investigation of the claims levelled against the Ag. Executive and a few different individuals from his staff, there were justification for conducting the investigations.

Consequently, an insightful board was established in consistence with the surviving laws administering the organisation of such a body.

Just like the best possible methodology, when claims are made against the Chief Executive of a foundation, and for this situation an establishment that should be viewed as blameless, the Chief Executive needs to step down from his post and take into account a straightforward and unhindered investigation.

The EFCC doesn't spin around the personality of an individual, and as such can't be seen through the crystal of any person.

Therefore, the suspension of Mr. Ibrahim Magu, permits the establishment to keep completing its command without the haze of investigation hanging over its head.

The EFCC has some great, dedicated people who are focused on its optimal and guaranteeing that the abundance of our nation isn't ravaged and if there is a act of misappropriation, such person(s) are brought to justice.

In the meantime, Mr. Magu is being given the chance to guard himself and answer the claims against him. This is because under the Laws of Nigeria each resident is assumed and stays innocent until proven guilty.

We should understand that the battle against corruption is anything but a static process, however a dynamic and consistently advancing procedure, where the EFCC is only one actor; and as we keep on moving in the direction of improving our majority rule process, so will each foundation of our own also do.

What is anyway significant is that there must be transparency and accountability and our citizens must understand that they would be considered answerable. This is the structure obstruct in the anti-corruption fight , the foundation of the idea of Accountability and the recognising the Rule of Law.

The individuals who see Mr. Magu's investigation, as a sign that the fight against corruption is coming up soon, have tragically, missed the pontoon.

There is no better sign that the fight is genuine and dynamic than the will to investigate the allegations in an open and straightforward way against the individuals who have been charged to be overseers of this very system.

Under this President and Government, this is our mantra and core value. There are no sacred cows, and for those who think they have a halo over their heads, their days are also numbered.

No other government throughout the entire existence of Nigeria would have moved to bring into the light such an allegation.