The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Magu

  • Magu’s rejection: Politicians want Buhari nominate someone else

    Some politicians in Lagos have called on the
    Federal Government to look for another
    person to manage the affairs of the
    Economic and Financial Crimes
    Commission (EFCC).
    The politicians said in interviews with
    the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on
    Monday in Lagos that the Acting
    Chairman of the commission, Ibrahim
    Magu, was not the only Nigerian
    competent to manage it.
    NAN reports that the senate has twice
    refused to confirm Magu’s nomination
    as the EFCC Chairman based on
    allegations made against him by the
    Department of State Service (DSS).

    Chief Ola Apena, Deputy Chairman of
    Lagos State Chapter of PDP, advised the
    government not to leave Nigerians with
    the impression that nobody else could
    do the job.
    “Magu is not the only Nigeria that can
    manage EFCC; other Nigerians have
    done it before.
    “If the DSS concludes that Magu does
    not possess the level of integrity and
    transparency needed, so be it.
    “I do not think there should be any fuse
    about it as a section of the society is
    making it to look. National Assembly
    members are not the ones who wrote
    the report,’’ Apena said.
    Mr Dennis Aghanya, Executive
    Secretary of Anti-Corruption and
    Research-based Data Initiative, urged
    President Muhammadu Buhari to
    nominate somebody else in place of
    Magu.
    “Magu has tried; his name will go down
    in history as one of the Acting EFCC
    Chairmen Nigeria had.
    “There are other competent and
    qualified persons for the job.
    “The president should not insist any
    further,’’ Aghanya said.
    He called on the National Assembly to
    amend the EFCC Act to accommodate
    people in other professions as EFCC
    chairman instead of only the police or
    armed forces.
    Chief Martin Onovo, the 2015
    Presidential Candidate of the National
    Conscience Party (NCP), urged Buhari to
    seek security clearance of a certain
    class of nominees to avoid what
    happened to Magu.
    “The senate has a constitutional role to
    screen nominees from the president for
    certain positions; the senate has played
    its constitutional role.
    “The senate can hold an opinion in
    direct contradiction with the
    president’s,’’ Onovo said.

  • Magu’s rejection

    Magu’s rejection

    •The president must decide whether or not to bring the DSS under control

    THAT Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is still in the middle of a furore of nominations is a metaphor of how democracy can play out as rigmarole. For the second time, the senate shunned the pick of the president, Muhammadu Buhari, for the man to lead the fight against corruption in the country.
    But it is clear that the senate did not reject Magu because of a lofty concern for a good society. All evidence shows that the man has not violated any law, nor breached any border of decency either of decorum or morality, to inspire such odium from the top law chamber in the land.
    The Department of State Services (DSS) and conniving senators alone understand why an otherwise upright man should be denied the task of entrenching an upright society. First, we know that when Magu was appointed the acting boss of EFCC, no complaint was registered. That means he passed the security test. It is still a puzzle why the same questions now raised by the so-called DSS report were absent at the time of his acting appointment.
    Granted that the DSS found nothing at the point, it suggests an inefficient DSS. But the same organisation now showed a greater inefficiency when it propounded report that raised at least three issues that led to his first senate rejection.
    It inspired a query from the attorney general and Magu answered all questions and he was officially cleared of any wrongdoing. After that, it would seem that the coast was clear for the senate to endorse the attorney-general’s verdict by confirming Magu as chairman.
    But the DSS re-presented its old report with a flimsy note, and served as the excuse of the lawmakers to scuttle the president’s choice.
    There is a basic institutional discord in the behaviour of the DSS. It is in the executive branch and works under the presidency. Many Nigerians have wondered why the DSS would send a report to the senate, another branch of the presidential system, without the nod of the head of the executive; that is, the president.
    If the DSS acted within the ambit of presidential authority and secured the permission to send the report, it presents a suicidal paradox of a president killing his own nominee. But we like to believe that it is farfetched, and the president would not nominate to fail. If that is the case, how can the president tolerate the defiance of one of his subordinate officers? Is the president treating the DSS as an independent agency, which will mean an illegality? We believe again that it is beyond the pale.
    It appears the president is unwilling, or unable, to assert his constitutional powers in the interest not only of institutional integrity, but also of the war against corruption. If the DSS does not subject itself to the constitutional superiority of the presidency, it means the president is condoning impunity under his very nose. It is a wrong signal not only for governance, but also for this democracy, especially against the backdrop of abiding charges of impunity against his government.
    Reports have it that the brass of the senate agrees with the DSS leadership that Magu is not good for the war on corruption. No good reason can be advanced for this view. He has raked in billions of Naira, and has exposed many of seedy deals by Nigeria’s business and political leaderships. He has even pulled off a feat once thought a fantasy. He secured the conviction of a former governor.
    The law does not forbid the president to nominate Magu again and, therefore, allow him serve as long as he wants. That, perhaps, is an option that will make him soldier on against a corrupt elite.

  • Magu: I did not return to EFCC for dirty jobs

    Magu: I did not return to EFCC for dirty jobs

    •My ordeal is punishment for investigating high profile cases

    •I didn’t know how investigation reports on Minister of State for Petroleum Resources leaked to ex-Air Force officer

    •I recovered N2.835b cash from ex-Chief of Air Staff Amosu

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has dismissed suggestions that his return to the agency in 2012 is to do a hatchet’s job.
    He says that he also did not lobby to return to the EFCC during the tenure of his predecessor, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, claiming his ordeal is a punishment for being the Chief Investigative Officer of many high-profile cases.
    These are the highlights of his response to a query by Justice Minister Abubakar Malami (SAN) based on the allegations against him by the Department of State Security Service (DSS).
    The response was published yesterday by Premium Times Newspaper.
    Magu denied that his rented official apartment was furnished at a cost of N43million and pointed out that he is never known for ostentatious living and his new office as acting chairman of the EFCC has not changed his lifestyle.
    He said it was a surprise to him how investigation reports on the activities of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu and his brother Dumebi Kachikwu, were found in the home of a member of the Presidential Investigative Committee on Arms Procurement, Air Commodore Mohammed Umar(rtd).
    He faulted DSS allegation that he was either reluctant to arraign, or delayed the arraignment of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu in court.
    Instead, he said the EFCC recovered N2.835billion cash and property worth N1. 581billion, $2,150million and £1, 000, 000 from Amosu.
    He said: “I was Assistant Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operations at the Anambra State Police Command when I was recalled to the EFCC in 2012. I did not lobby to return to the EFCC.
    “It is preposterous for anyone to suggest that I was recalled to do a hatchet job for Lamorde as alleged in the DSS Report. My job schedule as Deputy Director, Department of Internal Affairs, under Lamorde, was simply handling issues of professional responsibility in the Commission. I had no inputs in core operations duties of the Commission.

    Magu explained the circumstances in which EFCC files were found in his house after the removal of the pioneer Chairman of EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
    He said: “It is true that my residence was searched on the orders of Mrs. Farida Waziri, shortly after she succeeded Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as Chairman of the EFCC and some documents relating to cases under investigation were found in my house. At the time of the raid, I was yet to formally hand over to my successor, Umar Sanda, as head of the Economic Governance Unit.
    “My schedule at the time warranted that I work round the clock and it was impossible to conclude all assignments without working at home.
    “The documents found in my house were actually found in my office bag where I kept documents relating to investigations. I was in the process of handing over and it would be wrong to suggest that I wilfully kept the Commission’s files at home.
    “Nevertheless, the incident was thoroughly investigated by the police as I was placed on suspension without pay for 20 months. But in the end, I was reprimanded, recalled and promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police.
    “It is important sir, to draw your attention to the fact that some of us that worked closely with Ribadu were victimized after his exit.
    “And my ordeal was orchestrated as punishment for being the chief investigative officer for most of the high profile cases involving politically exposed persons some of whom became very influential in government at the time.
    On the N39.8million apartment rented for him, Magu said it was false that the house was also furnished for N43million, adding: “I live in the official residence of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This accommodation, contrary to the report of the DSS is not my private home, neither was it rented and furnished for me by Commodore Umar Mohammed (rtd).
    “It was rented and furnished by the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory through the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, under the safe house scheme.
    “It is also false that the house was rented for N20million per annum and furnished for N43million. The entire cost for both two-year rent and the furnishing of the house is N39.628million.
    “Details of the transaction are contained in the contract award letter and payment schedule which are attached to this letter.”
    He described the two times he flew in a private jet with Air Commodore Mohammed Umar, who was investigated by the DSS, as harmless gestures.
    He said: “Honourable Minister, the claim that I have a penchant for expensive air travels in a private jet belonging to Commodore Mohammed is baseless The two times I can recall travelling in Commodore Umar’s aircraft, were on a trip from Kano to Abuja, and Abuja to Maiduguri.
    “In the first instance, I had gone to Kano on an official assignment with two of my directors, and Mohammed who was on his way back to Abuja offered us a ride in his jet. The second occasion was when I was going to see my sick mother in Maiduguri.
    “These, for me, were harmless gestures as we were both members of the presidential investigative committee on arms procurement. At the time I had no knowledge that he was under investigation for any alleged crimes.
    “Claims that I flew in Mohammed’s jet to Maiduguri in company of the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo is false.
    “I have never flown in a private aircraft with any managing director of any bank let alone one that was under investigation by my agency. I have no personal relationship whatsoever with him.”
    Concerning alleged high profile or dual lifestyle, the Acting EFCC chairman said he only travelled on First Class once during the last ten days of the Ramadan and when other classes of ticket were not available.
    “The allegation that I live a flamboyant lifestyle is also surprising to me. While it is true that I did travel first class on Emirates Airline to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, this action to the best of my knowledge, did not contravene the directive of Mr. President on First Class travels as suggested by the DSS Report.
    “My trip to Saudi Arabia was a private journey to perform my religious obligation and it was not financed with public funds. More importantly, my decision to fly first class was not borne out of quest for luxury but compelled by necessity.
    “The trip was made during the last ten days of the Ramadan and other classes of ticket were not available. I had no other choice
    “That I flew first class in one instance is not enough evidence to suggest an extravagant lifestyle as alleged by the DSS Report. It is also not enough to suggest a dual personality.
    “Any one that has associated closely with me will attest to the fact that I am not known for ostentatious living. And my new office as acting chairman of the EFCC has not changed this.
    He said Commodore Mohammed Umar (rtd) was never serving as a front for him.
    He said: “Sir, it is important to situate my relationship with Commodore Mohammed Umar (rtd), in proper perspective.
    “Our paths crossed when we became members of the Presidential Committee on the investigation on arms procurement. He was instrumental in getting some of the information that helped the committee to make significant breakthrough in its assignment.
    “Beyond that, the relationship between Umar and myself is one of professional acquaintance, devoid of issues of conflict of interest. So, it comes to me with shock, the imputation by the DSS that we have a “mutually beneficial relationship”.
    “This appears suggestive that Mohammed and I were involved in activities that could be said to be untoward. I certainly have no knowledge of such activities.
    “The claim that EFCC documents, including EFCC letters addressed to the Vice President and being investigation reports on the activities of Emmanuel Kachikwu and his brother Dumebi Kachikwu, were found in his home during a search by the DSS came to me as a surprise.
    “If that is correct, he should be made to disclose how he came by such documents. I never discussed my official duties with him let alone give him documents pertaining to investigations being conducted by the Commission.
    “Interestingly, Mohammed was detained for several months by the DSS. In all those months, did he claim that I mandated him to commit any crime or that I was an accomplice to any crime? If there is any such claim, I will wholeheartedly like to be confronted with the allegation.
    “It is interesting to note that when Mohammed was eventually charged to court, the charges against him were money laundering and illegal possession of firearms, and nothing related to my purported “shady” relationship with him.”
    He faulted DSS allegation that he was either reluctant to arraign or delayed the arraignment of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu in court.
    He said: “The DSS Report that the reason EFCC delayed the arraignment of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu, was because Mohammed never wanted Amosu to be prosecuted is astonishing.
    “Anyone familiar with the EFCC under my watch knows that I perform my duties with the highest sense of responsibility. The reason Amosu was not arraigned when the likes of Alex Badeh and Umar were arraigned was because he cooperated with the commission in terms of assisting the process of recovering the proceeds of crime.
    “Indeed, among the suspects arrested over the arms procurement scandal, he was most cooperative. The Commission recovered N2.835billion cash from him, aside from property worth One Billion Five Hundred and Eighty One Million Naira (N1,581, 000, 000), Two Million One Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars ($2,150, 000) and One Million Pounds Sterling (£1, 000, 000).
    “Since a key focus of the investigation was to recover as much proceeds of crime as possible, the Commission took its time to ensure it had recovered what was possible before arraigning the suspect in court. This had nothing to do with the wish of any individual. Moreover, the suspect has since been arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.”
    He also debunked allegation of vendetta against a former Group Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Stanley Lawson.
    He said: “The suggestion by the DSS Report that Stanley Lawson, a former Group Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was placed on a watch list, to settle scores with him is strange.
    “ It may interest you to know that I do not know Stanley Lawson personally and could not be settling personal scores by framing somebody that I do not know.
    “Lawson’s encounter with the EFCC is in relation to the investigation into the mismanagement of $118million public funds for electioneering campaign involving former petroleum resources minister, Diezani Alison Madueke.
    “It was discovered that he made payment of $25million into Fidelity Bank and also facilitated the purchase of Ogeyi Place Le Meridien Hotel in Port Harcourt for Mrs. Alison Madueke, for which he collected Ninety Four Million Five Hundred and Sixteen Thousand Naira (N94, 516,000) as commission. Lawson was arrested and he made a refund of the N94.5million traced to him. He was never placed on any watch list.”
    Regarding the DSS allegation that he had been working with police cronies in EFCC, he said: “I do not understand what the report meant by working with cronies.
    “If what was implied is that I have preferred officers that I work with and who go about their work in unethical manner, my response is that nothing of such exists in the EFCC.
    “Officers who work with me know that the easiest way to lose your job is to be found to be involved in unethical or corrupt activities
    “Indeed, when I assumed office as acting chairman, my first action was to return police officers with integrity issues back to the Nigeria Police Force. If the DSS finds that there are police officers in the EFCC who are working closely with me and have properties that their incomes cannot support, the Service is at liberty to expose them.
    “Honourable Minister, Sir, I invite you to take notice of the fact that the DSS authored two separate vetting reports on me, one referenced SV.114/3 addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly and the other referenced SV.114/3 addressed to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate).
    “Both letters were dated 3rd October, 2016, and signed by the same Officer, Folashade Bello, on behalf of the Director General. While one of the reports advised the senate against my confirmation, the other asked it to favourably consider my confirmation.
    “The two reports emanating from the same agency raise questions of sincerity and motive. You will want to find out why they came up with two conflicting reports on the same subject on the same day.”
    “It is important to note that in all this, I was not given the opportunity of fair hearing.
    “Above all sir, I am persuaded by my conviction in my innocence that in all the issues supposedly raised against me, no one has accused me of receiving gratification to act against my conscience or the interest of the country.”

  • Magu twice unlucky

    Magu twice unlucky

    THE Senate’s choreographed rejection of Ibrahim Magu, boss of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), last week is both a pointer to the disharmony and infighting in the Muhammadu Buhari presidency and a reflection of the president’s awkward administrative style. The rejection was expected, the second in three months. Weeks before Mr Magu presented himself before the Senate a second time, it was widely rumoured that there was no way he would be confirmed. It had little to do with the Department of State Service (DSS) report that accused him of gross wrongdoing, a report seemingly defanged by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, who probed the matter. The DSS report worked from the answer to the question. The rejection also had little to do with Mr Magu’s competence and style. His style was no less aggressive than that of one of his predecessors, Nuhu Ribadu. In competence, he was in fact a relief to most Nigerians who feared that the anti-graft body had been inoculated against efficiency.
    Mr Magu is not the most eloquent of men, and his personal style, a little idiosyncratic, and a little affected, grated very badly on the nerves of polished people. He tended to be too abrasive and excited, and he seemed to sneer and even sometimes growl at the rule of law. But he has since refined his act, brought his boundless enthusiasm to bear on a national malady that probably needed even more than he was accused of bringing to the job, and cultivated an excusable air of a law enforcement czar that at once elicited awe and provoked resentment. Even those who rejected him a second time last week knew he was the right man for the job. They knew they were putting down a public officer who seemed to have prepared for this job all his life. They knew it would be difficult to find someone imbued with his kind of commitment, if not honesty. But the conspirators had too much to lose to care.
    It is true that the conspiracy to shoot down Mr Magu’s confirmation transcended the Senate and reached far into the recesses of Aso Villa, drawing on every aggrieved journeyman with an axe to grind or a loot to cover. It is true, too, that had the DSS not stood pat on its original report damning Mr Magu and dismissing him as a liability to the government and its anti-corruption campaign, the senate would have found it immeasurably difficult to unhorse him. But it is also true that the confusion and contradictions in the presidency, not to say the president’s awkwardness and indecision, provided the fertile ground for Mr Magu’s rejection. However, that confusion and awkwardness are not just a product of administrative incompetence or of the natural and inherent vacillations to which Aso Villa is apparently besotted; they are more fittingly a reflection of the Buhari presidency’s lack of philosophical and ideological underpinnings.
    Yes, the president is regarded as honest, practical and as hard working as his troublesome health would permit. And there is no doubt that the abundant goodwill that propelled him into high office has not been dissipated by both his goofs and gaffes, and by his excesses and constant defiance of the law and constitution. For a deeply traditional society sometimes burdened by sham religiosity, it is also curious that his celebrated tiff with his wife has not seemed to diminish his attraction to the ordinary Nigerian. Yet, these attributes, as helpful as they are to the president as a person and to his presidency which is already fraying at the edges, do not countervail the worrisome fact that the Buhari presidency is enervated by the soullessness and brittleness of its own core.
    Ordinarily the DSS should exhibit independent judgement and conduct its operations without partisan flavour. But in Nigeria, it has not been so; and in the case of the DSS report on Mr Magu, it was not any independence of judgement that inspired the damning report seized upon by the senate to do the acting EFCC chairman in. Not only did the DSS produce a first report against Mr Magu shortly before he was to appear for confirmation as President Buhari’s nominee, a report in which analysts picked gaping holes, the agency, on request, again produced a second report that reiterated and reinforced the first. It is not clear where they got the courage to undermine the president’s resolve, assuming the president was as resolved on the matter as Nigerians think. And if the president knew better than to fight the senate over Mr Magu, especially given the rising profile of the senate president and the understanding he and the senate would be expected to show for an ailing president, why nominate the anti-graft boss a second time and risk another humiliation?
    This column suggested in December that in a contest between the DSS and Mr Magu, and notwithstanding who had the sympathy of Nigerians, the DSS would always triumph. It has to do with the nature of their work and the fact that the secret service stood better chance of having the ear of the president. The EFCC’s brief does not go beyond financial crimes, a narrow though important part of national life. The DSS on the other hand has a wider, national and gravely important responsibility for the security of the nation and even safety of the president himself. It was unlikely, this column argued, for the DSS to eat its word on Mr Magu or be abandoned by the president. Unfortunately, too, Mr Magu is not the most restrained of men. Sensing how opposed to him the DSS was, he unadvisedly gave free rein to his emotions on the secret service, an organisation with a long memory and vengeful spirit.
    Those who suggest that Mr Magu can remain in office indefinitely as acting chairman of the EFCC are neither interpreting the letter of the law properly in respect of that office nor interpreting the spirit or intendment of the law expertly. If a nominee needs legislative confirmation to occupy an office and function in it, but is rejected twice, it is impossible to keep him in that office by any conceivable legislative, executive or administrative sleight of hand. A public officer needing confirmation can act only before he is put through the mill of confirmation. Some have also suggested that the president can either keep him as acting chairman ad infinitum or nominate him a third time after possibly clearing all the obstacles to his confirmation. The president has too much sense to risk a third humiliation. He will not attempt it, for he knows that for reasons best known to the senate, Mr Magu’s goose was twice cooked and is now overdone or even burnt.
    President Buhari is too vulnerable now to risk a blowout or an interminable struggle with the senate or House of Representatives. His health is evidently not too robust, and in the brief period Vice President Yemi Osinbajo acted for him, his style and grasp of leadership issues and principles were exposed as jaded, needlessly combative, and retrogressive. He faces domestic troubles, and the coalition that brought him to power has begun to unravel. Worse, even those like the Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai whose thoughtless demagoguery elevated them to the status of demigods have become nervous and are penning combustive and contumacious letters. The president, if he is perceptive, may begin to realise that the North, his main political bulwark, is breaking out in a fever of machinations ahead of 2019. They pray he should complete his first term; but even the most optimistic of them are unable to see him beyond that term.
    If he is to have a peaceful reign, the president will have to mollify the rage of the voluble, disaffected, unprincipled but calculating Mallam el-Rufai whom the cabal has obviously shut out of the president’s inner circle, conciliate the National Assembly, a fractious and irreverent body of men and women bonded by their common obsession for the good life, devolve some powers and responsibilities to his much younger and intellectual deputy, and learn to speak with a little more empathy and affection for the country that gave him a second chance in office. It is not a man so hobbled by political and physiological circumstances that will nominate Mr Magu a third time. He has no special reason to; indeed, he has no special interest in the matter. He will look for a much cleverer and more reticent man who will wait for confirmation before unsheathing his sword or unleashing his acerbity.
    It is regrettable to see Mr Magu go. He has his heart in the right place and would have made a great impression on nearly everybody. But the greater concern now is to help the president manage the imminent fission in his presidency. Aso Villa has become a bed of intrigues plotted by ambitious aides with a keen, clairvoyant sense of the political tomorrow. If they are not to dismember the president’s first term even before the bell is properly rung for the next campaigns, a kitchen and general cabinet reshuffle may be ineluctable. President Buhari cannot begin to learn at 74 the ameliorating tactics of worming his way into the forgiven and accommodating hearts of the people. But, given a second chance at life after being ‘so sick’, he should find those who can help him carry out his objectives and package a much stronger and resonating message for the country.

  • Magu: Corruption adds legislature to its fighting Arsenal

    That Magu is competent, and performing, is easily confirmed by the number of foreign agencies  which indicated interest in observing how a jaundiced senate would handle his confirmation hearing.

    Sources at the presidency said there has been a cold war between Magu and members of the President’s kitchen cabinet who seek to interfere with ongoing corruption cases at the EFCC.  Matters reportedly came to a head recently when Sahara Reporters did an exposé that revealed how the Chief of Staff prevented an investigation that the commission had commenced against a powerful indigenous oil company, and Magu was accused of being the brain behind the leakage of the story. Related issues of contention include the planned commencement of the trial of the businessman, known to have been involved in multi-billion oil deals with former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke. He had apparently been assured that he would not be prosecuted by the EFCC. Our sources revealed that Magu’s letter of nomination to the Senate for confirmation was delayed by the same individuals because of what they described as Magu’s “intransigence.” On the part of the DSS, sources within the administration say Magu was held to have stepped on their toes by constantly questioning why they usurped the role of EFCC in carrying out raids into the homes of corrupt former government officials, which is the domain of the EFCC. The DSS reportedly raided at least 30 homes of officials and aides of former President Goodluck Jonathan, but only managed to deliver a meagre N47m and $1.943m.”

    The above is a slightly edited, yet uncontroverted story, published by Sahara Reporters on June 22, 2016.  It should readily explain why the senate, never a friend of the president, nor of the executive branch, could so perfunctorily conduct what it called a confirmation hearing even where a decision had long been taken, a priori, to mess up an absolutely performing anti graft chief. That Magu is competent, and performing, is easily confirmed by the number of foreign agencies  which indicated interest in observing how a jaundiced senate would handle his confirmation hearing. It turned out that their fears were not misplaced.

    Even if it is not illegal as asserted by Femi Falana, SAN, nothing can be more immoral than having several members of the senate, currently undergoing trial/investigations that can readily see some of them to jail, by the EFCC under the same Magu, as Acting Chairman, actively participating in his screening for confirmation as the substantive head of the anti corruption agency. Only in Nigeria can this macabre dissonance ever happen. As things stand today, Magu’s fate would have been sealed even if Bukola Saraki, the senate President, were the only member of that chamber having issues with the agency for sundry malfeasance. However, the fact that not less than 10 of them, especially former state governors who have turned the senate to a sinecure, at least seven governors believed to have illegally profited from the diversion of N19B out of the N388.304B Paris Club refund, and several other high profile politicians currently being probed for stealing the country blind, is more than enough reason to achieve that unfortunate decision by the senate. Happily it is labour lost as the president must treat it with benign disregard just like President Jonathan did in the much protracted case of Ms Arunma Oteh, who some lazy bones in Nigeria wanted to mess up but is today the Treasurer, and Vice President of the World Bank. They are, forever, jealous of success even where not a few of them were rigged into our legislative houses.

    And why do I say this?

    I say this because there are only two ways to resolve the Magu conundrum: either President Buhari kowtows to the assemblage of  Nigeria’s  corrupt , and thereby, promptly erases the one reason – his integrity and  incorruptibility –  why  Nigerians voted him overwhelmingly in 2015, as well as  continue to repose great confidence in him as recently demonstrated by the huge crowd which welcomed him back home from his medical leave, in spite of the loafers  who want him dead, or he sticks, like  President Olusegun Obasanjo did with Professor Lola Borishade then, and remain  unwaveringly committed to a  Magu  who has proved beyond any iota of doubt that he is Nigeria’s best anti corruption chief ever.

    Without a doubt, it is only in Nigeria that an agency like the DSS could twice shame a Head of State by submitting reports which would lead to the non confirmation of the appointment of a candidate in whom he had demonstrated ample confidence by twice recommending him. President Buhari must now begin to see why not a few of us  criticized him when he chose to pack his kitchen cabinet as well as  the security agencies with members of his Fulani ethnic group many of who are believed to be his blood relations. Their recent behaviour is absolutely demonstrative of the saying that familiarity breeds contempt. But Nigeria belongs to us all. Nothing lasts forever except the grace of God. Robert Azibaola and George Turnah were once untouchable in this country. We can only hope that they will learn from history, even recent history. It is the height of disrespect for elements within the executive to so shambolically disgrace the president. If Magu’s case were to be so bad, the DSS should have convinced the president as to why he should not be recommended a second time to the senate, an arm of government which has shown, time and again, that nothing interests it more than shaming the executive branch. That this happened means that we cannot put anything beyond some elements in this government. Only this past week, we heard that some officials in the foreign affairs ministry deliberately worked against the country’s interest in the election of officials to a continental body. We can only hope that one of these seemingly untouchable public servants, would not one day bring war upon the country.

    News had filtered in a long time ago that Magu would only be confirmed on their death just so they can protect individuals who had robbed Nigeria silly. And since this is also the wish of the senate, the president must rise to the occasion and save a young man who is completely dedicated to the service of this country. It will be a great shame if Magu is laid bare for total enemies of Nigeria to deal with as they wish and the consequences will be truly dire.  Unfortunately, Magu has added another set of enemies made up of those state governors who are alleged to have turned themselves into consultants in the Paris Club refund issue thereby pilfering about N19B of funds that should have gone into paying a huge backlog of salaries and pensions. For days, many Nigerians could not eat after seeing the ghost-like pictures of two elderly Nigerian women who were going to be paraded on pension lines to be able to get paid the miserable amounts these governors pay them.  They have forgotten that God is on the throne and that they would not have to get that old before He repays them in full measure. God is not man that they would deceive Him and, like it or not, they will get their due comeuppance. Amen.

    The Attorney-General and the Sagay committee must do everything to prevail over the selfish designs of the president’s kitchen cabinet and all those working in cahoots with the senate in the Magu matter. They must let the President know the negative consequences of having a new man foisted on the agency; a new man who, from the first day would be beholden to the senate. He will simply become a slave to the Melaye’s of the senate; those who believe that Nigeria is theirs to deal with as they like. The President must also be made aware of how dispensing with Magu at this point in time will complicate, if not completely erode the massive assistance the agency is currently getting from foreign agencies both financial and in intelligence sharing because for  them Magu has been tried and tested  and found  worthy. Above all, taking Magu off the job now will be the end of most of the ongoing cases and President Buhari would, by that singular act, completely erode all the successes he has achieved in his anti graft war. Time is even against him.

    He must, therefore, not play into the hands of his enemies.

  • EFCC chair: Advisers ask Buhari to insist on Magu

    EFCC chair: Advisers ask Buhari to insist on Magu

    •Fault Senate’s rejection of anti-corruption agency’s boss
    •President may step into row

    Members of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption (PACAC) have faulted Senate’s rejection of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

    They have also canvassed President Muhammadu Buhari’s retention of Magu as the boss of EFCC in the light of the provision of Section 171 of the 1999 Constitution.

    A source in the Presidency also assured our correspondent last night that President Buhari “will not abandon Magu.”

    There were indications yesterday that the government may renominate Magu for the beleaguered office for the third time.

    It was however learnt that the President may step into the row by opening talks with the leadership of the National Assembly and other stakeholders, including the Department of State Security Service (DSS).

    Magu also got more backing from the Transparency International and Global Witness yesterday.

    The two organisations invited Magu to London to speak at an international conference on money laundering and assets recovery on March 2.

    The Executive Secretary of PACAC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, who spoke exclusively with our correspondent, said all the advisers to the President on corruption have discovered that the Senate acted on old report.

    Owasanoye said: “There was no fresh investigation conducted by the DSS. The Senate only relied on the old report.  The DSS did not provide any new information for the Senate.

    “For all intents and purposes, we believe it was unfair for the senators to reach the conclusion they have reached.

    “We think there was no new information from the DSS. The Senate ought not to have rejected Magu

    “The Senate was privy to two reports from the DSS. It ought to have satisfied itself by considering the two and not one as it did.

    “The Senate also knew that the President had looked into the two reports and sent his conclusion to them, but they did not take cognizance of the President’s letter which overrides the DSS reports.

    “Even when Magu told the Senate that he was not with his response to the query issued to him, we expected the Senate to have asked him to bring his defence the following day in the spirit of fairness.

    “If you look at the proceeding in the Senate, there were too many gaps to be closed.”

    Asked of the committee members’ position on Magu, the PACAC Secretary said: “We believe that there is nothing inhibiting him from being in office as the Acting EFCC chairman. We are of the opinion that he should remain in office.

    “If you look at Section 171 of the 1999 Constitution, the President is empowered to retain him as long as he wants in acting capacity. As long as the President remains in office, Magu can continue to act as EFCC chairman.”

    Responding to a question, Owasanoye added: “If there is something new, we would have modified our position.

    “But the Senate acted on old report without considering the President’s points in the re-nomination letter.”

    According to Section 171 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, power to appoint persons to hold or act in the offices to which this section applies and to remove persons so appointed from any such office shall rest in the President.

    (2) The offices to which this section applies are namely

    (a) Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    (b) Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

    (c) Ambassador, High Commissioner or other principal Representative of Nigeria abroad.

    (d) Permanent Secretary in any Ministry or Head of any Extra-Ministerial Department of the Government of the Federation howsoever designated; and

    (e) any office on the personal staff of the President.

    (3) An appointment to the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation shall not be made except from among the Permanent Secretaries or equivalent rank in the Civil Service of the Federation or of a State.

    (4) An appointment to the office of Ambassador, High Commissioner, or other Representative of Nigeria abroad shall not have effect unless the appointment is confirmed by the Senate.

    (5) In exercising his powers of appointment under this section, the President shall have regard to the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity.

    (6) Any appointment made pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (e) of subsection (2) of this section shall be at the pleasure of the President and shall cease when the President cease to hold office;

    Provided that where a person has been appointed from a public service of the Federation or a State, he shall be entitled to return to the public service of the Federation or of the State when the President ceases to hold office.”

    As at press time, it was gathered that the presidency may nominate Magu for the third time.

    It was learnt that President Buhari may step into the controversy over Magu before effecting a re-nomination.

    A highly-placed source said: “I think the Presidency will re-nominate Magu. His advisers on the fight against corruption want Magu retained.

    “But the President is likely to engage the leaders of the National Assembly, especially the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara.

    “There is likelihood that the session might be enlarged to include some stakeholders like the DSS leadership.

    Speaking with our correspondent last night, a presidency source said in confidence: “The President is set to receive official communication from the Senate. But I can assure you that the President will not abandon Magu.

    Barely few days after the Senate rejected his nomination, Magu has been invited by two leading anti-corruption organisations, the Transparency International and Global Witness to speak at an international conference on money laundering and assets recovery on March 21, 2017 in London.

    He is expected to deliver a paper on the topic: Give Us Our Money Back – Nigeria’s Fight Against Corruption: A Critical Conversation.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said: “The invitation from the Global Witness and Transparency International is in recognition of the invaluable role the Magu-led EFCC has played in his more than one year in office in recovery of stolen funds.

    “ It also coincidentally comes a few days after members of the Nigerian Senate chose to overlook the strides achieved by Magu and instead refused his re-nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari as the substantive chairman of the EFCC.

    “The international conference, which is coming on the heels of the 2016 London Anti-Corruption Summit, will focus on the progress of Nigeria’s asset recovery and anti-corruption efforts.

    “It will also feature a panel of discussions for “critical exchange of views” between officials and non-government experts from Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

    “A few international personalities have been invited along with Magu to participate in the conference.

    “Among those from Nigeria are Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information; Prof. Itse Sagay, Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC; its secretary, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye and Olanrewaju Suraju of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda.”

  • Group condemns Senate rejection of Magu

    One of the foremost socio-political organisations in Nigeria, The Progressives Solidarity Forum (PSF), has frowned at the Senate non-confirmation of the Acting Chairman  of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),  Ibrahim Magu.

    The president of the group, Dr. Ibrahim Emokpaire made this known in a press statement.

    Emokpaire, while commending President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption, he said Magu’s resolve to make corruption a thing of the past should be appreciated by Nigerians, adding, “Nigerians are oblivious of the fact that sooner or later, Nigerians will experience tremendous reduction in the level of corruption in the country.”

    The PSF president said that the 8th Senate obviously has taken on the Presidency to continue with the high-level of corruption in Nigeria. “We condemn the action of the 8th Senate in not confirming the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu and consider this rejection frivolous. Nigerians have experienced tremendous achievements in the current fight against corruption under the leadership of Magu and we are quite confidence that he is highly competent,” Emokpaire said.

    He said that the PSF stands with Magu.

  • Magu: Presidency awaits letter from Senate

    Magu: Presidency awaits letter from Senate

    The Presidency is awaiting official communication in writing from the Senate over the non-confirmation of Mr Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina disclosed this on Thursday on his twitter handle @FemAdesina.

    “The Presidency will respond to the non-clearance of Magu as EFCC boss, after it receives official communication in writing from the Senate,” he stated.

    The Senate on Wednesday declined to confirm Magu’s appointment based on a report by the Directorate of State Services which said the acting EFCC’s Chairman failed integrity test.

  • How governors, senators, others stopped Magu

    How governors, senators, others stopped Magu

    Senate rejects EFCC chief again

    Ibrahim Magu’s confirmation for Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman was rejected again yesterday – no thanks to some governors, senators and high-profile suspects.

    Magu’s confirmation was first rejected on December 15, 2016.

    The governors were said to have been angry with Magu over the ongoing probe of the alleged diversion of N19 billion from the London-Paris Club loan refund.

    Seven governors have been implicated in the scandal.

    Besides, some senators resolved to save their colleagues following Magu’s refusal to make a commitment that he will “find solutions” to the ongoing investigation and trial of 10 members of the Upper Chamber.

    Some of the 10 senators, led by a former governor from the Northeast, specifically demanded the termination of their trial during a meeting with Magu.

    The Acting EFCC chairman however insisted that the law must take its course, a source, who pleaded not to be named because of the “sensitivity” of the matter, told The Nation.

    Some high profile suspects were said to have wielded influence to frustrate Magu’s confirmation “to pay him back in his own coin”.

    According to the source, Magu’s rejection was the product of “conspiracy of aggrieved forces”.

    It was learnt that the N19billion  was deducted from the N388.304billion, which was part of the N522.74 billion released to 35 states as refund of over-deductions on the London-Paris Club loans.

    Following protests by states against over deductions for external debt service between 1995 and 2002, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the release of the first tranche to states as refund pending a reconciliation of records.

    Each state was entitled to a cap of N14.5 billion being 25% of the amounts claimed.

    But EFCC through intelligence intercepted how N19billion was diverted to Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) accounts and some private accounts.

    A source said: “All attempts to prevail on Magu to halt the investigation failed and the governors have no choice than to engage in lobbying to truncate the confirmation.

    “Although a governor from the Northeast did his best to persuade his colleagues to spare Magu, some of the governors vowed not to take the risk.

    “At a point, the governors sent emissaries to the Acting EFCC chairman, including some government officials, but he did not shift ground.

    “The position of the governors was that the Presidency was in the picture of the deductions from the loan refunds but the EFCC’s probe was seen as an embarrassment to them.

    “Before Magu goes after them, they decided to cut him to size. These governors found willing partners in some National Assembly leaders who were implicated in the loan refund.”

    One of the emissaries sent by the governors to Magu was quoted as saying: “This chap almost secured confirmation but he bungled it by probing the loan refund.

    “Each time a commitment was secured from him, the more he has been intensifying investigation of the N19billion. We told him it was a sensitive case.”

    “A businessman reportedly interceded for Magu, urging the Senate leadership to confirm him. But the businessman later discovered that EFCC was investigating him in connection with the loan refund, The Nation learnt.

    “So, the governors refused to spare any efforts to lobby their senators to reject Magu. And don’t forget that most of these governors are godfathers of many senators. Again, 2019 is around the corner, no senator wants to take a bet on Magu and lose the opportunity of returning to the Red Chamber in the next general election,” the source said.

    Most of the senators were displeased that the EFCC was either investigating or putting more than 10 of their colleagues on trial.

    A highly-placed source said: “The Senate has had its grudges against Magu since the invitation of the wife of the President of the Senate for interrogation. The senators saw it as a desecration of the chamber.

    “Despite the fact that the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has purportedly forgiven Saraki, the questioning of his wife has been a lingering memory. There are always fears that Magu could be more drastic in his action if confirmed.

    ”And the fears came to fore during the lobbying for confirmation when the Acting EFCC chairman refused to yield ground.  Magu and a few others met with some of the Senators, led by a former governor from the Northeast, who demanded to know what EFCC will do on their cases.”

    Magu was said to have told the lawmakers that the law will take its course.

    He was quoted as saying: “I cannot find solutions to these cases.”

    Since that day, the hurdles against his confirmation became higher.

    “The list of those who met Magu where the request was tabled is an open secret,” the source said.

    He went on: “The PDP senators did not mince words that the Acting EFCC chairman will not be confirmed because of alleged tilting of investigation towards opposition leaders. The ongoing subtle probe of the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio and his wife by the EFCC was considered as an affront after Magu had lobbied the PDP Caucus.

    “Although two of the PDP senators met with Magu on Tuesday to assure him of likely clearance but the game plan changed overnight when the caucus took a position against Magu.”

    Another source fingered some high profile suspects of the EFCC, including some bank chiefs, as those behind Magu’s travails.

    The source added: “The Acting EFCC chairman stepped on toes of these high-profile suspects, who in cahoots with their associates and sympathisers, lobbied senators to halt what one of them described as ‘Magu’s hurricane’. These suspects have the wherewithal to fight Magu to a standstill.

    “The problem with Magu is that he has no godfather to fight his cause. And Senate politics is about influence wielding, building contacts and high-wire relationship.

    “There were rumours that some suspects budgeted about N2.2billion to stop Magu’s confirmation. The EFCC stumbled on this information but it was yet to trace any transaction linked to the slush budget. The agency was suspecting under-the-table vote.”

    Also yesterday, it was learnt that “the crisis of confidence within the kitchen cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari” affected Magu’s confirmation.

    A source in government said: “Magu has limited contacts in government. His sympathisers are President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the President’s wife, Hajiya Aisha Buhari,  the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Babagana Monguno and the Chairman of PACAC, Prof. Itse Sagay, among others.

    “Unfortunately, the NSA who recommended him for the job is facing challenges with some members of the kitchen cabinet who see Magu as doing the bidding of his benefactor.

    Asked of the role of the Department of State Services (DSS), the source said: “I think the service was uncomfortable with lack of inter-agency cooperation between it and the EFCC.

    “There was a time the DSS advised Magu to stay action on an operation in the Southsouth, but the EFCC went ahead. It led to mutual suspicion.

    “The closeness of Magu to the NSA, who had issues with DSS,  aggravated the proxy war, which resulted in two damning reports against Magu. The Acting EFCC chairman is a victim of power play  in the kitchen cabinet.”

  • The DSS Report that nailed Magu

    The DSS Report that nailed Magu

    Exactly three months after they declined to confirm Ibrahim Magu as the substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), The Senate yesterday affirmed their December 15, last year’s position on the EFCC’s acting chairman. The Red Chamber relied on three-paragraph memo from the Department of State Services (DSS) dated March 14, affirming the Services’ earlier report on Magu. Below is the Report:

    In August 2008, following a search at his residence during the tenure of Farida Waziri (AIG/rtd) as the commission’s chairman, some sensitive EFCC documents which were not supposed to be at his disposal were discovered. He was subsequently redeployed to the police after days of detention and later suspended from the Force.

    In December 2010, the Police Service Commission (PSC) found Magu guilty of “Action prejudicial to state security, withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorised removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a police officer,” and awarded him severe reprimand as punishment.

    Notwithstanding, sequel to the appointment of Ibrahim Lamorde as Chairman of the EFCC in 2011, he made the return of Magu to the EFCC a top priority. Both men had worked together at the commission when Lamorde served as Head of Operations of the agency. Magu remained a top official of the commission until he was appointed to succeed Lamorde.

    Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40 million, at N20 million per annum. This accommodation was not paid for from the commission’s finances but by one Umar Mohammed (Air Commodore/rtd), a questionable businessman and ally of subject who has subsequently been arrested by this service. For the furnishing of the residence, Mohammed enlisted the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to award a contract to Africa Energy, a company owned by the same Mohammed to lavishly furnish the residence at the cost of N43 million.

    Investigations show that the Acting EFCC chairman regularly embarks on official and private trips through a private carrier, Easyjet, owned by Mohammed. In one of such trips, Magu flew to Maiduguri, alongside Mohammed and a third generation bank chief, who was being investigated by the commission over complicity in funds allegedly stolen by the immediate past Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison- Madueke.

    Furthermore, the EFCC boss has so far maintained a high profile lifestyle. This is exemplified by his preference for First Class air travels. On 24th June, 2016, he flew Emirate Airlines’ First Class to Saudi Arabia to perform the Lesser Hajj at the cost of N2, 990,196. This is in spite of Mr. President’s directive to all public servants to fly Economy Class.

    Investigation also revealed that Magu parades a twin personality. At one level, he is the czar who has no friends, no favourites and is ready to fight corruption to a standstill. However, with a key friend in the person of Umar Mohammed (Air Commodore/rtd), a controversial businessman, he has betrayed the confidence reposed in him by the present administration.

    Whereas Magu portrays himself as very secretive, he has fostered a mutually beneficial relationship with Mohammed who, by his confession, approaches ‘clients’ for possible exploitation, favours and associated returns. This was facilitated with official secrets divulged by Magu and from which dealings he is believed to have been drawing considerable benefits.

    This was evidenced by the number of official and classified documents he made available to his associates, especially Mohammed. After a search of Mohammed’s premises, a forged letter of the Office of the Vice President, dated 20th May, 2016, was recovered. The letter was a fictitious investigation report from Vice President to Mr. President, requesting for approval to commence further probe into a matter allegedly involving Hon. Minister of State for Petroleum. Attached to the letter were two EFCC letters dated 13th April, 2016, and another 24th March, 2016, addressed to the vice president being investigation reports on the activities of Emmanuel Kachikwu and his brother Dumebi Kachikwu. Similarly recovered during the search were information on assets and personal details of Kachikwu.

    Also, following the arrest of three former Airforce chiefs by EFCC, namely, Alex Badeh, Umar and Adesola Amosu from whom huge sums of money and property were recovered, Umar and Badeh were arraigned in court. It was only after the arrest of Mohammed by this service that the EFCC hurriedly arraigned Amosu. Mohammed later confessed that he never wanted Amosu tried, describing him as his former boss and he saw in Magu, a willing accomplice.

    Furthermore, findings revealed that in a bid to settle some personal scores, subject placed one Stanley Inye Lawson on a Security Watch Action, while in actual fact, Lawson was working in the interest of the Federal Government. However, the action was later expunged following the discovery that Lawson was falsely accused by Magu for personal reasons.

    The circumstances surrounding Magu’s return to EFCC at the instance of the former chairman, Lamorde, and their close working relationship ever since is a clear indication of his culpability in the allegations of corrupt tendencies of the Lamorde-led EFCC.

    To cover his tracks, Magu uses only his police cronies to execute operations. This, coupled with discoveries that such police cronies have acquired a lot of landed property, lends credence to the questions about his integrity.

    In the light of the foregoing, Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption drive of the present administration.