Following the development involving the arrest of the former acting chairman of Economic and Financial Crime Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, the presidency has issued a statement explaining the situation.
The Special Assistant to the President on Media Matters, Garba Shehu, released a statement on Saturday, revealing that the former EFCC boss was caught up in gross financial misconduct that requires him to step down for due investigation to be carried out.
Read the statement below.
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A series of documented allegations were made against the Ag. Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Following a preliminary review of the allegations leveled against the Ag. Chairman and several other members of his staff, there were grounds for a detailed investigation to be conducted.
Hence, an investigative panel was constituted in compliance with the extant laws governing the convening of such a body.
As is the proper procedure, when allegations are made against the Chief Executive of an institution, and in this case an institution that ought to be seen as beyond reproach, the Chief Executive has to step down from his post and allow for a transparent & unhindered investigation
The EFCC does not revolve around the personality of an individual, and as such cannot be seen through the prism of any individual.
Therefore, the suspension of Mr. Ibrahim Magu, allows the institution to continue carrying out its mandate without the cloud of investigation hanging over its head.
The EFCC has many good, hardworking men and women who are committed to its ideal and ensuring that the wealth of our country is not plundered and wherein there is an act of misappropriation such person(s) are brought to justice.
Meanwhile, Mr. Magu is being availed the opportunity to defend himself and answer the allegations against him. This is how it should be, as is the fact that under the Laws of Nigeria every citizen is presumed and remains innocent until proven guilty.
We must realize that the fight against corruption is not a static event, but a dynamic and ever evolving process, in which the EFCC is just one actor, and as we continue to work towards improving our democratic process so shall every institution of ours also embark on that journey of evolution.
What is however important is that there must be accountability and transparency and our people must realize that they would be held to account.
This is the building block in the fight against corruption, the establishment of the concept of Accountability and the recognition of the Rule of Law.
Those who see Mr. Magu’s investigation, as a signal that the fight against corruption is failing, have unfortunately, missed the boat.
There is no better indication that the fight is real and active than the will to investigate allegations in an open and transparent manner against those who have been charged to be custodians of this very system.
Under this President and Government, this is our mantra and guiding principle. There are no sacred cows, and for those who think they have a halo over their heads, their days are also numbered.
Mr. Magu was not immune and regardless of the obvious embarrassment that potential acts of wrongdoing by him, given the office he held, may appear for the government.
No other administration in the history of Nigeria would have moved to bring into the light and public domain such an allegation.
Greedy basted. He should be killed by hanging cuz u have frustrate a lot of people. Thief
He have used the wife and children’s name to purchase houses and property’s. Don’t let him go with a din. You are a big disgrace to the entire country. You guys spoilt the country’s name Nigeria. Not even common yahoo yahoo boys the anti graft agency are the worst. They should be sacked and re-brounded.
Did Garba Shehu write this, or someone in his office did? It’s incredible to see how the folks within Aso Rock make the rest of us look like fools.
When did heads of institutions start being relieved of their jobs once allegations were brought against them? Both Buratai and Malami should have been out of their positions by now, because there had been allegations against them too, so it’s hard to understand what Garba Shehu was talking about.
Against, the ‘series of allegations’ against Magu happened when, 2019 or 2020? This guy remained in Acting capacity for almost five years, the 8th Senate rejected confirmation requests twice, and now we are being fed with this nonsense.
Anyone with understanding of looting or diversion of funds in Nigeria knows that it’s only when someone wasn’t properly ‘settled’, or was schemed out of the ring, then we hear this type of noise.
Nobody loots alone in Nigeria, we need the full list of the beneficiaries, including those who must have died by now.
Strange land.
*Again