Ibrahim Magu reveals forces hindering the EFCC
– Ibrahim Magu, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed his challenge
– Magu believes there are some forces fighting the EFCC as the agency battles corruption in the country
The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused some dark forces of infiltrating the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
Ibrahim Magu, EFCC boss, says dark forces frustrating the fight against corruption
He said he expected lawyers to rally round the anti-graft agency and help tackle these dark forces. Sahara Reporters quoted Magu as making the revelation while presenting a paper: ‘This is our chance’ at a symposium organized by members of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADL) in Lagos. He said those plaguing the EFCC and its duties are a ‘gang of rogue elements’ who have become a clog in the wheel of progress.
Magu, who did not give details of the dark forces, reportedly said: “When these dark forces gather (as they have), our expectation is that bodies such as the National Association of Democratic Lawyers would rise up, without any further prompting and come to our rescue. “The tug-and-pull for the soul of the EFCC aptly mirrors that for the control of the destiny of our dear nation.” Despite the frustration, he said the EFCC would overcome, adding: “Whilst we may not claim omniscience, one thing we are convinced of in the Commission is that Nigeria will be doomed if we fail to win the war on corruption.” He vowed that the commission would go against anybody, including lawyers and judges, where it is evident that they soiled their hands.
“The biggest form of corruption is not the ones you find in government offices or banks; it is not the ones that is plaguing the oil industry or pension administration. “The biggest, most virulent form of corruption that ever existed is the one that has eaten deep into the fabric of the Temple of Justice. “It is to you who minister in the temple of justice that we all run to -high or low, mighty or weak, lawmakers, law breakers and law enforcers. It is to the courts that we all run, for protection.
“However, we are all witnesses to the abuse of skills, knowledge, powers, position and privileges by a few rogue elements, who, whilst being a tiny fraction, have an outsized influence on the direction of the Nigerian judiciary and indeed, the Nigerian nation,” he said while calling on Nigerians to join in the fight against corruption which he said was the cause of the current challenges facing the country.
“It is important to note that what has made the EFCC to stand out from every other law enforcement agency in Africa, are our conviction, commitment and professionalism, backed by the unshaken support of ordinary Nigerians,” Magu said. Magu was appointed following the removal of Ibrahim Lamorde, but since his emergence, there are allegations that the anti-graft agency had not been able to secure a celebrated conviction. Instead, the allegation had been that the agency had only engaged in witch-hunt going after officials of the last administration. The EFCC, on Thursday, August 18, 2017, filed a 17-count charge of fraud against Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s former aide.
– Magu believes there are some forces fighting the EFCC as the agency battles corruption in the country
The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused some dark forces of infiltrating the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
Ibrahim Magu, EFCC boss, says dark forces frustrating the fight against corruption
He said he expected lawyers to rally round the anti-graft agency and help tackle these dark forces. Sahara Reporters quoted Magu as making the revelation while presenting a paper: ‘This is our chance’ at a symposium organized by members of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADL) in Lagos. He said those plaguing the EFCC and its duties are a ‘gang of rogue elements’ who have become a clog in the wheel of progress.
Magu, who did not give details of the dark forces, reportedly said: “When these dark forces gather (as they have), our expectation is that bodies such as the National Association of Democratic Lawyers would rise up, without any further prompting and come to our rescue. “The tug-and-pull for the soul of the EFCC aptly mirrors that for the control of the destiny of our dear nation.” Despite the frustration, he said the EFCC would overcome, adding: “Whilst we may not claim omniscience, one thing we are convinced of in the Commission is that Nigeria will be doomed if we fail to win the war on corruption.” He vowed that the commission would go against anybody, including lawyers and judges, where it is evident that they soiled their hands.
“The biggest form of corruption is not the ones you find in government offices or banks; it is not the ones that is plaguing the oil industry or pension administration. “The biggest, most virulent form of corruption that ever existed is the one that has eaten deep into the fabric of the Temple of Justice. “It is to you who minister in the temple of justice that we all run to -high or low, mighty or weak, lawmakers, law breakers and law enforcers. It is to the courts that we all run, for protection.
“However, we are all witnesses to the abuse of skills, knowledge, powers, position and privileges by a few rogue elements, who, whilst being a tiny fraction, have an outsized influence on the direction of the Nigerian judiciary and indeed, the Nigerian nation,” he said while calling on Nigerians to join in the fight against corruption which he said was the cause of the current challenges facing the country.
“It is important to note that what has made the EFCC to stand out from every other law enforcement agency in Africa, are our conviction, commitment and professionalism, backed by the unshaken support of ordinary Nigerians,” Magu said. Magu was appointed following the removal of Ibrahim Lamorde, but since his emergence, there are allegations that the anti-graft agency had not been able to secure a celebrated conviction. Instead, the allegation had been that the agency had only engaged in witch-hunt going after officials of the last administration. The EFCC, on Thursday, August 18, 2017, filed a 17-count charge of fraud against Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s former aide.
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