I prefer to die fighting corruption, says Magu

Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has stated his unalloyed commitment to the anti-graft war with, a solemn declaration that he does not mind paying the supreme sacrifice to see that Nigeria is free from the grip of corruption.

Speaking while receiving a group of lawyers who visited him in Lagos on February 18, Magu commended them for their solidarity, noting that it is such support that the commission seeks from every patriotic Nigerian, as the battle against corruption enters a delicate phase where the vice is itself itself fighting back.

“I am not afraid of anything. I prefer to die fighting corruption if need be,” he declared.

He expressed regrets that some unpatriotic Nigerians, including senior lawyers, had “joined forces with fraudsters and those who looted our commonwealth by becoming coaches and technical advisers on how to escape justice”.

Magu admonished lawyers to allow the interest of Nigeria and good conscience to guide them when accepting briefs.

Earlier Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who led the group, said they were at the agency to express support for its activities and thank its chairman for revamping the fight against corruption.

He said that although lawyers had been accused of attempting to frustrate the work of the commission, there were still good ones who are always ready to support EFCC in advancing the fight against corruption.

He urged the commission to name and shame those who are frustrating the work rather than generalizing.

“Let us name and shame corrupt judges and lawyers. The good ones are prepared to work with you,” he said.

Luke Aghanenu, who also spoke at the event, said the commission should know that corruption would also fight back, as exemplified by the recent attack by some lawyers.

He said that as long as the EFCC does it work rightly, people will always criticise the commission.

Jiti Ogunye said he joined the solidarity visit because of his belief in the integrity of the EFCC chairman and his efforts to revamp the fight against corruption.

He condemned the activities of some lawyers who are castigating the EFCC, and implored them not to hide under the cover of lawyer-client confidentiality to become accomplices to mega graft.