Sagay: Only beneficiaries of corruption question Buhari’s anti-graft war

Itse Sagay, chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), says only the beneficiaries of corruption question the anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Sagay said this on Wednesday in Abuja when he led members of the committee on a visit to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

NAN reports that PACAC was established in 2015 by the Buhari administration as a part of efforts to combat corruption.

PACAC’s mandate includes the promotion of reform agenda in the anti-corruption crusade, advising the government on the prosecution of the war against corrupt practices and implementation of reforms in the nation’s criminal justice system

“When Nigerians pretend by asking what difference has his government brought in the fight against corruption, it amazes me,” he said.

“For me, it is a sign of bad faith being expressed by the elites who were the beneficiaries of corruption.

“So, they are undergoing the pains of having to earn their living rather than simply collecting unearned money, easy money that used to go round the country.

“These are people who were building edifices without a sign of employment of any sort.”

The professor of law attributed much of the success to the efforts of the EFCC, which he said had surpassed other agencies in the fight against corruption.

He said the recent arrest of Mohammed Adoke, former attorney-general and minister of justice, in the United Arab Emirates was the latest in the EFCC’s achievements.

In response, Ibrahim Magu, EFCC acting chairman, said the commission is committed to fighting corruption, adding that “this is the mandate given to us by the president”.

“We want to thank Sagay and his team for coming over because I see this visit as an oversight one,” he said.

“There is no money that can force Sagay and his team to come and pass commendation on the commission. We are proud of this gesture and we will keep taking what we are doing seriously.

“Anytime there is anything wrong, Sagay will call and shout at me by asking me to do the needful and I take correction quickly.

“And when he noticed we take correction, he will call and acknowledged.”

The EFCC chief said PACAC has served as a guide for its operations and assured Nigerians that the commission will always do the right thing.