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Suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu has dismissed the allegations against him as mere “nonsense”.
In an interview with The Nation shortly after he was released from custody, Magu expressed shock when he read the allegations levelled against him. Magu was picked up last week by a combined team of Police and Department of State Security (DSS) in Abuja last week and taken to the presidential villa where he was detained. He appeared before a Presidential panel set up by Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the activities of the EFCC under his watch.
Ayo Salami, retired president of the Appeal court is the head of the panel setup to probe Magu.
Magu was reported to have said, “They are nonsense. They are mere trump up allegations to tarnish my image and that of the EFCC. I did not steal or divert or convert funds to private use. I read the allegations and I was shocked.”
“What I have gone through is a case of dog eats dog but I see it as one of those risks of the job… we must not give up in any way.”
Magu who appreciated those who supported him while in detention, pledged not to relent in fight against corruption.
He called on Nigerians not to relent in the fight against corruption, noting that it kills a nation faster than any other thing.
“I thank Nigerians for their support, they should not be discouraged. I am happy to be back, I believe the war against corruption is winnable,” he said.
“Whether I am EFCC Chairman or not, the anti-corruption war must continue.”
Magu’s prosecution was inspired by a memo by Abubakar Malami, Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice which accused him of gross misconduct in office. He was said to have mismanaged the recovered loot from corrupt individuals and sold seized assets to his cronies.
There have been barrage of accusations against Magu since his arrest. Reports say he bought a property in Dubai, United Arab Emirates through a pastor.
He was also alleged to have laundered over N500 billion through a bureau-de-change in Kaduna.
Magu earlier denied the allegations through his lawyers.
President Muhammad Buhari has since appointed Mohammaded Umar, former director of operations at the EFCC, as his replacement.
Source: The Cable
This post was written by Obiajulu Joel Nwolu.
The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.