Tag Archives: Ibrahim Magu

EFCC Includes Women In Anti-graft War – Ibrahim Magu

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The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has revealed that the agency is incorporating women in the anti graft war.

Mr Magu gave this revelation on Tuesday while visiting the Chairman of Channels Media Group Mr. John Momoh.

He also denied allegation that a suspect recently died in the EFCC custody.

According to his family, Mr Nunugwo died on June 9, 2016, after he was arrested by the EFCC for his alleged role in a 91 million Naira fraud.

The lawyer to the family, Mr Paul Edeh, led relatives of the victim to the Ministry of Justice, where they had a private meeting with the Justice Minister.

Mr Edeh said that the Minister gave a directive that the issue be investigated and promised to get back to the family in a matter of days.

Wife of the deceased, Mrs Susanne Nunugwo, lamented that she had not been able to see the corpse of her husband since his death two months ago.

She requested that her husband’s name be cleared as he had been declared guilty by the EFCC and was no longer alive to defend himself.

This will be his second to Channels Television since taking over as Acting Chairman of the EFCC.

Ebun Adegboruwa Withdraws Case Filed Against Magu’s Confirmation.

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Legal Practitioner, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has withdrawn the court case he filed against the confirmation of Mr Ibrahim Magu, as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

At the Federal High Court Sitting in Lagos on Monday, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Tayo Oyetibo, who appeared for Mr Adegboruwa, told the presiding Justice Mojisola Olatoregun that he had persuaded his client to drop the case, in order to encourage Mr Magu in the anti-corruption campaign.

He also said there is need to give Mr Magu the opportunity to continue the anti-corruption campaign of the present administration and the case may affect Magu’s confirmation as such, it was better to discontinue it.

Mr Adegboruwa who was present in court also got up to confirm this.

He told the court that he was well persuaded by his counsel and in his second coming, Mr Magu will do a good job, to be more rule of law friendly and be holistic in his approach to the anti-corruption drive of the administration.

Mr Wahab Shittu who represented Mr Magu said he was happy with the development and was not opposed to the withdrawal of the case.

He also expressed the belief that the withdrawal would boost the anti-corruption war of the Buhari-led administration, especially with input and support of lawyers and activists like Mr Adegboruwa, who should bring their wealth of experience to bear on the fight against corruption.

After listening to all the parties, Justice Olatoregun consequently struck out the case.

In the case, Mr Adegboruwa, had sought to stop the Senate from proceeding with the confirmation of Magu as the EFCC chairman, based upon his alleged corrupt practices and lavish lifestyle.

 

Source: Channels TV

“You must hate corruption”, Magu tells EFCC staff.

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Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has described corruption as the mother of all crimes, telling the cadets who just joined the commission that they must hate it.

Maintaining that every evil is rooted in corruption, Magu admonished them to always shun acts capable of compromising their official duties.

He identified courage, discipline, commitment and loyalty as crucial to success in the crusade against corruption.

The anti-graft czar said this on Monday, while opening the second phase of the Detective Assistant course II programme at the EFCC Academy, Karu.

“We are passionately involved in fighting corruption, all of you must hate corruption and you should not be found to be involved in corrupt practices,” Wilson Uwujaren, spokesman of the commission, quoted Magu as saying.

He reminded them that EFCC the anti-graft agency has a high reputation in the world.

Magu described EFCC as an agency where anyone who has integrity and interest of the country at heart can serve

He warned those who joined the commission because they wanted to make money to “better leave now”.

“We have zero tolerance for internal corruption. We will figure you out, dismiss you and prosecute you,” he said.

Uproar in Senate over Buhari’s support for Babachir, Magu.

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There was uproar at the Senate yesterday over President Muhammadu Buhari’s continued support for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), David Babachir and the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.

In two separate letters read by Senate President Bukola Saraki, President Buhari pointed out perceived flaws in the resolutions of the upper legislative chamber last December against Babachir and Magu.

Among the complaints is that the Senate committee breached the rule of fair hearing by refusing to invite Babachir to any of its sections. The presidency also alleged that the report on which the lawmakers based their decision was interim not the final report.

The uneasy calm in the chamber as Saraki read the letter suddenly broke into uproar when he attempted to cut short a remark by the chairman of the ad hoc committee that investigated and indicted the SGF, Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central). The lawmakers resorted to chanting “Go ahead! Go ahead!! Go ahead!!!” to encourage Sani to continue his remark despite Saraki’s interjection.

When calm returned, Sani described the president’s letter against the Senate’s resolution on Babachir as “a funeral service of the anti-corruption war”.

According to him, the anti-graft campaign is so selective to the extent that when it has to do with the National Assembly, the judiciary and other segments of the society, the president uses insecticides but when it concerns anybody in the executive arm of government, he uses deodorants.

The lawmaker and civil rights activist said: “It is unfortunate that we have a political atmosphere where you have a saintly and angelic presidency and a devilish and evil society. We must in every respect fight corruption within the kitchen as we do in the veranda; if we don’t do that, then we are being hypocritical. This letter does not in any way reflect the spirit which we espouse as a people fighting to cleanse and fumigate this country of corruption.

“It is shocking to me that such a letter can come from the presidency with such misinformation and outright distortions. They lied by saying that the committee didn’t invite the SGF; the committee invited the SGF and the letter was acknowledged by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF, Mr. Aminu Nadehu

“To make sure that we buttress our point, we made a paid advert in three or four national dailies: this one was published on December 2, 2016 and the SGF is clearly mentioned as one of those expected to come and appear before the National Assembly.
“If they have the intention of simply reaching a pre-determined conclusion by covering up on the issues raised by the committee, that is one thing.”

On the president’s allegation that the report that indicted Babachir was signed by only three of the nine members of the committee, Sani said:

“That was also a second lie coming from the presidency. I have a copy of the interim report which was initially signed by seven of the nine members of that committee and I am going to submit it to the Clerk of the Senate. Even if it is nine and then three people signed, we still have a quorum, but here I have seven people.

“I will say also that I listened to the list of the names that were read and they omitted the chairman which is myself. I know I am not very big in frame but I believe my name shouldn’t have been omitted.”

Condemning the president’s response further, Sani said: “This shows clearly how the SGF and his minions in the presidency misinformed the president to sign this letter. Secondly, I will say this clearly, this letter is a funeral service for the anti-corruption fight.

“ Mr. President, I stand by the report of that committee and it is very clear to us: if we can allow this committee’s report to be shredded into pieces, then I think it would be in order for us to open all the 138 prisons in this country for all the convicts and awaiting trial inmates to go scot-free.”

At an earlier closed-door session that lasted for two hours, the senators took their turns to condemn Buhari’s response to the resolutions against Babachir and Magu.

It was learnt that the lawmakers particularly condemned why Buhari refused to address the issues raised in the DSS security report on Magu. “Is it that the report never existed or that it has been withdrawn?” a senator queried.

The lawmakers faulted the manner in which the Buhari’s letter was delivered in sharp contrast with the normal tradition of message delivery to the Senate.

“The letter was dated 17th of January but it was sent to the Senate president at 10:00 p.m. of 22 January. It was delivered to Saraki by hand and not through the normal message delivery channel to the Senate. Why the gap? Could it have been written by someone else and backdated?” another senator wondered.

It was pointed out at the closed-door session that the Senate would be breaching its rule if it went ahead to screen Magu.“The Senate rule forbids it from considering any matter upon which a judicial decision is pending. Why can’t we wait until the matter is decided upon by the court?” a lawmaker said.

The Senate said it would stand by its resolutions.Briefing journalists shortly after the session yesterday, Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Abdullahi Saabi Aliu, said the Senate had taken note of the fact that the president did not address the issues raised in the security report upon which the chamber refused to consider the nomination of Magu.

A Federal High Court in Lagos had fixed February 13 to hear a suit filed against Magu, challenging his continued stay in office as EFCC acting chairman.

Is Magu Nigeria’s Most Dangerous Man? – By Azu Ishiekwene

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It’s not a surprise that some folks are finally twisting the knife in the back of the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu. After working without a letter of appointment for one year and overstaying his confirmation by nearly six months, his current travails should not come as a surprise.

It’s now official. The Directorate of State Security said in a letter carefully released at the Senate committee December 10 confirmation hearing that Magu is Nigeria’s most dangerous man. The DSS could therefore not recommend him for clearing.

OK, the DSS letter didn’t put it exactly that way – it said there was evidence from eight years ago that Magu took official files home; that he fiddled with recovered assets sometime in his earlier life; that his friend, an air force officer, who is currently under investigation, paid twice the value of his house rent for him and furnished it; that he flies around with suspects under investigation; and that he even flies first class, against the rules.
With the leadership of the Senate facing corruption trial, the DSS letter was exactly the Christmas present that the lawmakers had been praying for. So when Santa Claus delivered it to the Senate committee, the matter did not even go to the whole house, as required by law, before Magu was rejected.

This curious episode reminds me of two things – an aphorism and a story. Lavrenti Beria, the former head of Joseph Stalin’s KGB loved his job to death and was always eager to show his boss. Whenever he thought Stalin had difficulties finding a reason to eliminate any of his foes, Lavrenti would go to him quietly and whisper, “show me the man and I will find the crime.”

In his one year doing one of Nigeria’s most difficult jobs, Magu has stepped on so many toes that finding a crime to hang him shouldn’t need a Lavrenti.

The DSS is doing a damn good job of it in Magu’s case.
When former President Mwai Kibaki started the war against corruption in Kenya, those who wanted it to fail did more than using aphorisms to fight against John Githongo, the anti-corruption czar at the time.

According to Michela Wrong in her book, “Our turn to eat,” at first, they ignored Githongo. When he seemed to be getting uncomfortably close to the thieves, who were mostly insiders, they tried to shoo him away. He persisted and sank his teeth into one of Kenya’s biggest scandals – the $1billion Anglo Leasing case. At that point, the backlash became nasty.

They called him a stooge of the Oyinbo man, especially the donor countries, and to incite the public against him, said he was gay and a traitor to his tribe. They sent stalkers after Githongo and threatened him directly. When he refused to back down, they went after his family.

They suddenly remembered a loan taken by his father who had an accounting firm under former President Jomo Kenyatta and reminded John that his father had not finished paying up. “The minister of Justice was telling me that if I eased off my enquiries, then my father’s loan matter would be made to go away,” Githongo said.
Corruption did not relent until Githongo fled for his life.

Those after Magu don’t want him to flee, not yet. If, like Lavrenti, they can find the crime for the man – scraps of files from the Waziri Farida days or ice cream toppings from his air force friend – that humiliation alone should be enough to humble and bring him back to line. If they can’t break him, they’re determined to mar him.
By all means, Magu should answer his query. And I hope that the full details of the DSS report against him, the Justice minister’s query, and Magu’s response would be released to the public.

Except if there’s something the public does not know, no public officer at Magu’s level is appointed without some basic form of security screening. It is strange that the DSS waited one year after Magu’s appointment to advise the president that he is unfit for office because he took some files home in 2008. Didn’t they know that before he assumed office one year ago?

As for the claim that he lives in a house paid for at twice the market price by his air force friend, who has been interrogated by the DSS and charged to court, that is wrong, if it’s true. But why was this claim not part of the DSS charge in court against the air force officer?

And where does this allegation leave the public in light of the story by Premium Times – with supporting documents – that the Abuja Municipal Management Council actually paid for Magu’s house and furnished it? Or was the house paid for twice?

The Senate has tried to give the impression that its main concern is to ensure that the man who is confirmed in the EFCC chair is above board. Yet, we can smell mischief. In his one year in office Magu has shown a commitment to work and independent-mindedness that have proved to be a major headache for politicians, their powerful cronies and insiders who would rather have a puppet in that office.

The war on corruption may still have its rough edges, but Magu has pursued a number of those who pocketed public funds and forced them to pay. He has worked with other institutions to tighten financial controls and plug leakages through which the country was losing billions of naira yearly.

All of this of course will be music in the ear of many politicians, as long as Magu is not coming after them or their cronies. With many of them already warming up for 2019, they are concerned that, at this pace, the anti-corruption war may upend their political ambition.

Magu has shown from his devotion and courage that he is a clear and present danger to a number of ambitious politicians and their friends who were used to easy passes. That’s why they want to stop him.

Acting appointments belong to the Stone Age. Appointments requiring Senate or any other statutory confirmation should precede assumption of office. Once a man takes a job he should be judged by his performance.

He should not be hostage to the selfish and narrow interests of those who would exploit an administrative leverage just to get even.

Politicians want to fight corruption; that is what they say. What is coming out of Magu’s confirmation hearing is that they want to fight corruption on their own terms.
No deal.

AGF Malami Queries Magu, Begins Probe Into DSS Allegations

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The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, has begun investigations into various allegations against some top Federal Government officials as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday.

Our correspondents learnt on Tuesday that following the President’s directive, the AGF had, on Monday, issued a query to the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

Sources in the Federal Ministry of Justice and the EFCC confirmed that the query was delivered to Magu on Monday.

It was learnt that the query was accompanied by allegations contained in the security report prepared by the Department of State Services and upon which the Senate had, last Thursday, rejected his confirmation as the EFCC chairman.

“The AGF has started enforcing the directive by the President. I can confirm to you that the minister has taken the first step by querying the Acting Chairman of the EFCC,” a source in the Federal Ministry of Justice said.

The source could, however, not confirm what step the AGF had taken on the allegations levelled against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal.

The source could also not confirm the ultimatum issued to Magu to respond to the query.

Meanwhile, a source close to the acting chairman of the commission said the anti-corruption officer had received the query.

He said he had already commenced preparing his defence to the allegations raised by the DSS.

The source added, “Yes, he has received the query with the DSS report sent to the Senate on him.

“Ironically, the query only contains one of the letters written by the DSS to the Senate.

“I think he has no problem with the query, but the question being asked by some people is that, he ought to have been given time to respond to the allegations before the Senate took that position.”

The letter, dated October 3, was addressed to the Clerk of the Senate, in response to a letter by the Senate, dated September 21, 2016, asking for Magu’s security check.

The report, which listed several alleged offences against the EFCC boss, said his confirmation would frustrate the anti-graft drive of the Buhari-led administration.

Part of the allegations against Magu was his being in possession of EFCC documents in his private residence during the chairmanship of Farida Waziri.

The DSS also made reference to the circumstances surrounding Magu’s arrest, detention and suspension by the Nigeria Police.

The secret service also alleged that the sum of N40m was paid for the rented apartment, which costs N20m per annum, where the acting EFCC chairman currently resides in Abuja.

It added that the accommodation was not paid for from the commission’s account but by a presidential appointee, who had been under investigation.

The DSS alleged that after renting the apartment for Magu, the friend awarded a N43m contract for the furnishing of the accommodation.

The appointee, who is a retired Air Commodore, was said to be a close associate and ally of Magu, and allegedly “runs questionable business” and was once arrested by the service.

The report, which cleared the other four EFCC appointees, said Magu flew a private jet owned by the retired military officer.

The service also claimed that the EFCC boss was once in the same flight to Maiduguri with a Managing Director of one of the new generation banks, who it alleged, was under investigation.

The Senate had, at plenary on Wednesday, called for the removal and prosecution of the SGF following alleged complicity in contract awards to take care of the Internally Displaced  Persons in the North-East.

This followed the presentation of the interim report of the Senate Ad hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East by the Chairman of the Committee, Shehu Sani.

The call for Lawal’s removal followed alleged contravention of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act and the Federal Government’s Financial Rules and Regulations pertaining to award of contracts.

Presenting the report, Sani said some of the contracts were awarded to companies belonging to top government officials’ cronies and family members.

He explained that the committee found out that Global Vision Engineering Limited, a company, with Lawal as Director, for instance, was awarded a consultancy contract.

Sani said despite being an IT company, the firm got a job to clear grass in Yobe State at N200m.

He said although Lawal resigned the directorship of the said company in September 2016, it was on record that he was a signatory to the accounts of the company.

Lawal denied all the allegations, saying “the Senate is talking balderdash; it has developed a bring-him-down syndrome.”

Senator Wabara calls for resignation of Magu, Lawal.

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The Former President of the Senate, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, has called on the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, to resign his appointment following indicting security reports about him. Wabara. who made the call in an interview on Monday in Abuja, also called for the resignation of on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal.
The Senate had called for the resignation of Lawal for his alleged involvement in diversion of funds meant for humanitarian services in the North-East. Wabara urged the duo to resign on moral grounds, adding that it didn’t matter if the allegations against them were proved or not. “They should go.
When Obasanjo alleged corruption matter against me I resigned, I resigned to face it. So I mean you resign. Magu and Babachir “Whatever position anybody is occupying is not his father’s position. If there is a moral issue, it doesn’t even have to be proven.
You give way to fight it. “One thing is very clear, it is not witch-hunting. If it is happening to a senator, Nigerians will say yes go ahead and do it but this reports are coming from outside of Senate. “ They did not go there to write or originate the reports and it is their right, it is the right of the Senate to work on any report that they receive judiciously. “What is constituency project when you have very damning and damaging report against the SGF. It is for them to investigate and determine the veracity of that report.
“If the report is really against the SGF, for moral reasons he should go,’’ he said. On whether or not the recent development was a witch-hunt on the part of the lawmakers against Magu, Wabara said the Senate had powers to carry out its responsibilities for the sustenance of democracy. “The Senate has every power to confirm or not to confirm. In this case it is not now a senate problem, or senate issue.
There were security reports from outside the senate for the consideration of the senate. “There were security reports that they received that led to what happened. So, I don’t want to blame the senate. “The senate did not originate the security report on Magu, Magu is a very amiable character but if you as a journalist should go into the authenticity of the reason and the report that the senate received, they did not originate it. “If they had originated it would have been a different ball game.
They had to work with the reports and they took that decision,’’ he said. On the fight against corruption, the former president of the senate said it was not holistic. According to him, “I think the administration is fighting corruption unfortunately it looks as it is about just one man that is doing that. “To me the only man fighting corruption is only the president.’’ In a similar development, the former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs Pauline Tallen, told NAN that anybody found wanting should be brought to book.
“Whatever are the issues surrounding the non-confirmation of the Acting Chairman, by the grace of God it will be resolved between the Presidency and the National Assembly. “So, I don’t think people should break their heads over this issue, it will soon be resolved by the grace of God.
“If one is found guilty on anything concerning corruption he should face the music, once the facts are there, nobody should be above the law,’’ she said. The Senate had rejected the nomination of Magu as Substantive Chairman of the EFCC over indicting security reports.

Premium Times: Contrary to SSS claim, documents show how FCTA paid for Magu’s official residence

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Newly obtained documents have shed more light into how the official residence of the embattled chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was paid for.

The documents showed that Ibrahim Magu’s apartment was paid for and furnished by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

The additional details provide further backing to a fact-check published by this newspaper over the weekend that highlighted the falsehood in a security report the State Security Service forwarded to the Senate to frustrate the confirmation of Mr. Magu.

New Director General of SSS, Lawan Daura
Director General of SSS, Lawan Daura.

Further investigations have since shown that the SSS actually sent two contradictory reports; one recommending Mr. Magu’s confirmation and the other saying he would be a liability to the anti-corruption war if cleared for the post.

Nigerian senators last Friday declined to approve President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination of Mr. Magu, who has been functioning in acting capacity since November 9, 2015, because he failed a purported security screening.

The SSS screening report, which was later sighted by this newspaper, made allegations of fraud, lavish lifestyle, insubordination and racketeering against the acting head of the anti-graft agency.

A particular claim in the report was that Mr. Magu suddenly assumed a lifestyle well above his take-home pay. The SSS said the EFCC chief paid about N40 million for an apartment in the exquisite Abuja neighbourhood of Maitama.

But documents obtained after the Senate’s refusal to confirm Mr. Magu show that the SSS might have failed to properly check its fact before presenting it to the Senate.

Mr. Magu’s apartment, which the SSS said was acquired with questionable proceeds, was actually paid for by the FCTA through a contract award on March 30, 2016.

The contractor, Valcour SA Nigeria Ltd., had entered a bid to furnish the apartment with a total of N43.8 million on March 29, 2016.

The firm calculated the bill as N9.8 million for furniture, N1.5 million for plumbing and N414,500 for electrical work and carpentry.

Nigerian Senate
Nigerian Senate

Other activities to be carried out in the apartment, according to the contractor, included purchase and installation of new television set and cable for N1.28 million, window blind for N1.18 million and security, utility and gym equipment for N1.5 million.

Twenty-eight million was budgeted for a two-year rent of the apartment which was described as ‘Rudolf House’ in the document.

In a letter dated March 30, 2016, the proposal was approved by the municipal authorities in Abuja.

The letter, with reference number AMMC/ADM/907, and signed by Ibrahim Gusau, Secretary, Tenders Board at Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, read as follows:

“I am directed to inform you that provisional approval has been given for an emergency award of contract to your company in line with PPA Section 42 (1b and 1f) for rent of residential accommodation for security operatives (EFCC) for two (2) years and furnishing same at the total sum of 43, 800.00 (Forty Three Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) only with completion period of 6 (six) weeks for furnishing.

“You are requested to proceed with the service and note that the notification of provisional award is subject to notification by the Federal Capital Territory Administration Tenders Board.

“Accordingly, I am directed to inform you also that “the contract or any part thereof shall not be transferred, sublet or assigned to any person/body in any way.

“You’re requested to indicate in writing your acceptance or otherwise of the award and thereafter report to the Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) for further instruction. The legal unit (AMMC) is similarly informed by a copy of this letter for their information and records.”

Valcour SA accepted the offer in a letter sent the next day, March 31. A total payment of N43,800,870 was made to the firm through a Zenith Bank account. Payment was made to the contractor through electronic transfer by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

 

See Documents Below:

 

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Finally,Nigerian Senate to screen EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu today.

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The senate will hold a confirmation hearing for Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday.

 

Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, who presided over a session of the upper legislative chamber, disclosed this on Wednesday.

 

According to him, the board members of the anti-graft agency would also be screened. They are Nasule Moses, Lawan Maman, Garandaji Imam Naji and Adeleke Adebayo Rafiu.

 

In July, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had forwarded Magu’s name to the senate for confirmation.

 

At the time, President Muhammadu Buhari was on a 10-day vacation in London.

 

But the senate did not consider or confirm the appointment of the EFCC boss for months, fuelling speculations of cutthroat wrangling between him and some key figures in Buhari’s government, who want him out of the way.

 

Buhari appointed Magu in November 2015 to succeed Ibrahim Lamorde, who was removed as EFCC chairman under controversial circumstances.

EFCC Boss Slams ‘Corrupt’ Lawyers, Journalists

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Mr Ibrahim Magu, the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday accused “corrupt’’ senior lawyers and journalists of trying to frustrate the war on corruption.

 

Magu made the accusation when a coalition of civil society groups (CSOs) staged a solidarity protest to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.

 

He alleged that senior lawyers file frivolous applications in court to delay justice after receiving stolen money as payments to represent corrupt individuals on trial.

 

He said: “One of the big challenges we have in the effective prosecution of the war on corruption are very senior lawyers in this country.

“Nigeria has been very kind to these lawyers. They went to good schools here when the country was good; many of them on government scholarship.

“But these same lawyers receive stolen money in payment for legal services to represent corrupt people who have stolen from the mouths of our children.

“They represent wicked people who have stolen money meant to build hospitals, buy drugs and equip our soldiers to fight Boko Haram.

“Corrupt people run to these same lawyers, give them part of the stolen money and mobilise them to fight us, to delay us in court and deny Nigerians justice.

“The other day, 34 Senior Advocates of Nigeria fought against only one small EFCC lawyer in court and he defeated all of them,’’ he added.

 

The EFCC boss also said that corrupt individuals were hiring journalists to abuse the commission and accuse it of not following the rule of law in the anti-corruption war.

 

He stated that no agency operates within the ambit of the law like the EFCC, adding that the commission does not take any action, including arrest, without consulting the law.

 

“That is why we are winning and defeating them every day. We want Nigerians to continue to support the commission and the general war on corruption.

“We are recovering stolen money, in billions of Naira and returning them to government’s coffers to be used to build hospitals, send our children to school, create employment and defend our country.

“We have no other country than Nigeria. This war is the war of the people,’’ he stated.

Magu emphasised that the days of impunity were over in the country, adding that the commission was being guided by no other rule than the rule of law.

 

(NAN)

EFCC’ll Arrest More Influential Nigerians Soon — Magu

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The Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, on Wednesday, said that more influential Nigerians would soon be arrested to face prosecution as the EFCC under him has reinvigorated the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

 
Magu, who made the disclosure during a forum with online and broadcast media managers, in Abuja, said since his appointment as acting chairman of the EFCC, he had undertaken the re-ordering of the agency’s priorities for effective implementation of its mandate.

 
According to him, “The effect of this, which is obvious for all to see, is the investigation, arrest and prosecution of some of the most powerful forces in Nigeria, who have questions to answer on their stewardship whilst in office.

 
“A former National Security Adviser, former ministers, former governors, serving and retired military men, a media mogul and several others, are among those we have called to answer critical questions concerning the management of our commonwealth.

 
“As we speak, many more influential Nigerians are on the radar of the EFCC and, in the coming weeks, they would have their days in court and Nigerians will be kept fully abreast of the results of our investigations.”

 
The EFCC boss said in carrying out the mandate of the commission, he has been guided by the “fear of God, national interest and the rule of law”.

 
Mr. Magu said apart from bringing corrupt public officers to justice, the EFCC under his leadership is determined, in line with the stance of the current administration under President Muhammadu Buhari to send “unmistakable message” to everyone, that no Nigerian shall be regarded as above the law or treated as sacred cow as far as the fight against corruption is concerned.

 
The EFCC chairman, however, said the commission cannot succeed in carrying out its mandate without the support of the media.

 
He said the EFCC already has the support of all relevant bodies and organizations.

 
He said he held a meeting with the president on Wednesday, and that the message from Mr. Buhari was nothing but total support for the agency.

 
“By far more inspirational is the political will of Mr. President to fight corruption. This unbending will, which some now call body language has given the needed traction to the anti-graft campaign,” he said.

 
Mr. Magu said Mr. Buhari’s resolve to fight corruption in Nigeria was underlined by his comments during his maiden media chat last Wednesday where he swore not to spare anyone found to be corrupt.

 
Mr. Magu quoted the president as saying, “I don’t …tolerate corruption. When I was Head of State, I didn’t put anybody above the law. At this time, I assure you, I will not put anybody above the law… If anyone is caught, I will not only sack (him or her) but will ensure that the case is taken to court”.

 
He added that the president’s resolve is complemented by that of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud Mohammed, who, during the last All Nigerian Judges’ Conference, declared unwavering support for the war on corruption.
He added that at that same judges conference, Mr. Buhari expressed the concern of the Nigerian people for the undue delays experienced in the trial of corruption suspects.

 
The judiciary, he said, has responded with some practical steps in the form of the designation of selected courts to try EFCC cases and some practice directions.

 
“We believe that when holistically and effectively put into practice, the measures would drastically cut the time corruption cases spend in court before Nigerians know whether the accused is guilty as charged or innocent of the crime.

 
“As a Commission, the EFCC is very determined to put into productive effect, the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA), 2015. This law, which has been rightly labeled a legal “revolution,” by none other than Professor Itse Sagay, chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-corruption, could not have come at a better time than now, when Nigerians are yearning for justice.

 
“On the part of the EFCC, I can assure you that the effect of our even more penetrating investigations and commitment to rid Nigeria of all forms of corruption and economic and financial crimes can –and will continue to be– seen from the cases we take to court for trial,” he said.

 
No political witch hunt
Mr. Magu also responded to comments from participants at the forum that a lot of Nigerians have a feeling that the ongoing war against corruption appears targeted at members of the opposition.

 
He said by his orientation, he has nothing to with politics and is therefore, not doing the bidding of a political party.
“Such accusations have come up a lot, but, we work with petitions before us, in fact, I am eager and waiting for something from the other side, but nothing has come so far,” he said.

 
Mr. Magu also said he had never been a fan of plea bargaining, adding however that he works within the laws of the land.
The managing editor of PREMIUM TIMES, Musikilu Mojeed, who spoke on behalf of the President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, Malachy Agbo, said the group is fully committed to the ongoing fight against corruption and pledged the support of members to the EFCC.

 
He also asked Mr. Magu to consider partnering with the group in training journalists.

 

 

Credit : Vanguard

Magu Assumes Office As EFCC Boss, Pledges To Combat Corruption (PHOTOS)

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The acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, today charged all staff of the Commission to brace up for fresh and greater challenges in the arduous task of combating corruption.

 

He gave the charge at the formal handover ceremony held at the EFCC headquarters, Abuja, which saw him, take over from him Ibrahim Lamorde, as chairman of the agency.

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Asserting his readiness to succeed in running the EFCC, Magu, who like Lamorde is a pioneer staff of the agency, expressed absolute commitment to executing the war against corruption.
While paying tribute to the founding fathers of the agency, he said, “I want to state our resolve not to falter on the well-established tradition of patriotism, dedication, courage and fearlessness, and we will take this responsibility with utmost seriousness that it deserves.”

He promised to “ginger up the anti-corruption campaign”, noting that there was no better time to do so than now.

Corruption, according to Magu, cannot co-exist with any meaningful development, as such, must be fought to a standstill.

“There is the need to make sure that whatever is gotten for common use did not end up in private pockets,” he said, stressing that fighting corruption to a standstill will make the country attractive to foreign investors.
Magu also pledged to be a listening leader and one that will be responsive to staff welfare and development.

He said, “I am ready and willing to work with everybody without any primordial concerns.”

Noted as a no-nonsense investigator, Magu said, “While we will intensify on our work out there, we will also keep an eye internally, and will not tolerate indiscipline nor condone abuse of office or acts of corruption.

Magu commended Lamorde for his leadership and wished him the best in his future endeavours. He also commended the management of the agency for having worked assiduously to ensure the sustenance of the objectives of establishing the EFCC.

On his part, Lamorde, charged staff of the agency to be patriotic and desist from mudslinging.

“As a human being, you have the right to disagree with someone, but if you disagree with your leader approach him yourself, instead of going out there to grumble,” he said.

According to him, those who engage in such actions are apparently oblivious of the far-reaching impact of their actions, which goes beyond the Commission and the individual.

 

Describing Magu as a “brother, colleague and friend”, Lamorde urged members of staff to give the new EFCC boss all the support that is needed to move the anti-graft agency forward.

“He needs all the support and encouragement he can get, and he should not be distracted with unnecessary write-ups,” he said.

 

Waxing a bit religious, Lamorde described his exit as “an act of God”, saying, “if you see it like that you won’t blame anybody, and you will have peace of mind. Let’s take whatever happens as an act of God.”

 

The handover ceremony was witnessed by the Secretary to the Commission, Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremo, as well as directors and heads of units of the EFCC.

 

Credit : Daily Post

Zayyad I. Muhammad: President Buhari, Ibrahim Magu And The New EFCC

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President Muhammadu Buhari’s well-known no-nonsense stance on corruption and the appointment of Mr. Ibrahim Mustafa Magu as the new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has signaled the start of the much-expected change in the Commission as well as a new beginning in the war against corruption in Nigeria.
Some observers are of the view that Mr. Magu is very lucky, because President Buhari will always be there for him, but for Magu to truly portray the EFCC in a new light; he must do some ‘big thinking’.
The ‘new’ EFCC should explore the multilateral technical co-operation on corruption to develop mechanism that will help Nigeria have a system that discourages outright stealing of public fund, and develop an anti-corruption war that relies on forensic evidence, well-trained personnel and free of unnecessary controversies. The EFCC should effectively utilize the provisions in   the National Assembly Act 2004, establishing the EFCC. For instance, Part III, section 12, subsection 1(c) and subsection (2), which provides for establishment of Research Unit; and any committee to assist the commission, are good avenues for the commission to explore in order to bring the commission at par with Nigerians’ expectations and global best practices.
Mr. Magu should take the EFCC to a new level- EFCC as an institution responsible for fighting the war against corruption should remodel its strategies for prosecuting accused persons. Situations such as slamming 120 count charges on a person  accused  of being corrupt while in public office, without being able to establish any of these, should be replaced with a fact-based process of prosecution, where the Commission gets its solid facts before charging accused to court.
The Commission should be driven by a new approach that is multifaceted, multidisciplinary and knowledge-driven; an approach that would assist all institutions of government in re-establishing norms and standards of governance, assist the public, NGOs and even the legislature in monitoring of compliance with the standards.  The core of the ‘new’ EFCC should be centered on restoring social order especially to governance; and promoting advocacy and capacity building among genuine whistleblowers.
In short, Nigeria’s anti-corruption war should not only be limited to celebrated arrests, arraignment of the accused in courts of law. The EFCC should serve as the change agent in establishing systematic and systemic approaches that will educate the public on the ills of corruption and beauty of doing thing as they ought to be done.
Mr. Magu should also know that public trust is the key in his new job. Anti-corruption czars rarely talk in public, but when they do, they carefully choose their words. Anti-corruption czars do not wine and dine with corrupt politicians, attend their lavish wedding ceremonies, be present at their extravagant   traditional title investiture or personal project fund raising ceremony, then expect complete public trust. When one accepts to be the head of an institution like the EFCC, he or she has chosen to be a ‘saint’, and must labour to appear as one, though, as human, we have our weaknesses, but the point is, anti-corruption czars can’t preach fasting in the morning and practice gluttony in the night.
Corruption is one of the most widespread social evils in Nigeria; it is seen as a main threat in the public and private sphere. Corruption undermines fragile democratic systems by fuelling popular disillusionment with politics and politicians; it also undermines trust and confidence, which are necessary for upholding and development of sustainable economic and social order. Corruption is not only peculiar to Nigeria, it is a global phenomenon. However, anti-corruption war in Nigeria is like a gun-war being fought with bows and arrows, it is a war that can turn its fighters into victims and those being fought into heroes, it is a war that both sides manipulate to gain personal and political points, it is a ‘world’ of controversies, politics, extensive debates and high public expectations. Nigerians have no second thought on President Muhammadu Buhari’s ability to fight corruption; this is the best stimulant Mr. Ibrahim Magu needs.
Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980. He blogs at www.zayyaddp.blogspot.com
Views expressed are solely that of author and does not represent views of www.omojuwa.com nor its associates

President Buhari Sacks EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Lamorde, Magu Takes Over

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EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Lamorde has been sacked and replaced with Ibrahim Magu, a top level official of the Economic and Governance Unit of the EFCC.

Ibrahim Magu has been elevated to the position of chairman of the commission.

Magu is remembered as a no-nonsense investigator of the commission at its inception. He was removed along with several other key officials by Farida Waziri when she became chairman in 2008.

Mr Lamorde was removed on Monday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He was seen at the Presidential Villa, where he allegedly held a last meeting with the President.

No reason has been given for his sack.

There are also indications that he may have been replaced, but his successor has not been named.

Mr Lamorde took over as the chairman of the anti-graft agency on 23 November, 2011 after chairman Farida Waziri was dismissed by the former President, Goodluck Jonathan.

 

 

Credit : ChannelsTV