Magu probe a plus for Buhari, says Malami

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), says the probe of Ibrahim Magu, suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is a “plus” for the Buhari administration.

While speaking on NTA’s ‘One-on-One’ programme hosted by Cyril Stober, Malami said Magu’s probe proves that no one is above the law.

When asked whether the probe was to settle personal scores, the minister of justice said it was the presidency that set up a panel to investigate the EFCC.

On whether the probe of the EFCC was not a blow to the anti-corruption war, Malami said it rather reinforces the fact that the government is committed to the fight against corruption without fear or favour.

“I wouldn’t like to be pre-emptive of the panel put in place by the President relating to an agency but within the context of the first leg of the question as to whether setting up a panel to look into the activities of an anti-corruption agency is a blow or a plus, I think to my mind, it is indeed a plus,” he said

“It goes on to establish the tradition which this government is known for; a tradition of no fear or favour as far as investigating corruption cases or allegations are concerned.

“So, to my mind, it is indeed a plus that reinforces and re-establishes a tradition by which the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is known, re-established to the effect that no allegation of corruption can be swept under the carpet. So, it is indeed a plus and not a blow.”

Magu’s travails followed a memo by Malami who accused him of grave malfeasance.

He was alleged to have mishandled the recovered loot and sold seized assets to associates.

He was also alleged to have refused to subject himself to the supervision of the office of the attorney-general.

Arrested on July 6 and whisked before the presidential panel, Magu was detained for 10 days at the force criminal investigation department, Abuja.

After regaining freedom, he denied the allegations against him describing them as “nonsense”.

Recently, the probe panel headed by Ayo Salami, former president of the court of appeal, rejected Magu’s defence in response to the allegations against him.

Other top officials of the EFCC including Ola Olukoyede, secretary to the EFCC,  have also been suspended indefinitely.