The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mr. Ibrahim Magu

  • EFCC seeks tougher stance against oil thieves

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mr Ibrahim Magu, has called for concerted efforts to combat illegal oil bunkering and theft in the South-South by applying stiffer penalties.

    EFCC spokesman, Mr Tony Orilade, said in statement on Wednesday that Magu stated this when he visited the Commander, Nigeria Navy Ship Pathfinder (NNS Pathfinder) Cmdr. S. Bura in Port Harcourt.

    Orilade said in the statement that Magu was represented by Port Harcourt’s Zonal Head of the commission, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa.

    According to Magu, the South-South remains the cash cow of Nigeria and tackling oil theft is not only a matter of law enforcement, but a patriotic duty.

    “Seventy to 80 per cent of our national revenue comes from the oil sector.

    Read also: Fireworks in Fayose’s trial as judge, EFCC’s lawyer clash

    “It is important that the menace of crude oil theft and illegal dealing in petroleum products is tackled frontally.

    “We need more of your cooperation to achieve this,’’ he said.

    Speaking earlier during the visit, Bura stressed that the Navy was always ready to offer its best services in the interest of the nation.

    “We are stakeholders. Nigeria belongs to all of us and as a Service, we have zero tolerance for illegality.

    “We do not compromise. I am personally allergic to indiscipline; and so you can be sure that we will always do what we should to tackle oil theft.’’ (NAN)

  • EFCC has secured over 150 convictions – Magu

    …Assures anti-graft war not a witch-hunt

    Worried by the wrong notion promoted by some individuals in the ongoing fight against corruption in the country, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on Monday dismissed the speculations that the anti-graft agency is being used to witchhunt the perceived political enemies of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.

    Justifying the claim that the agency has been doing all within its power to sustain the anti-corruption war irrespective of personal or political affiliations, Magu said the agency has secured not less than 150 convictions of corrupt individuals from January to June 2018 alone, saying “that’s the best anybody can do from January to date.”

    Read Also:EFCC probes 35 capital market fraud cases

    The EFCC boss made the revelations at a stakeholders’ interactive session which held at the EFCC Ibadan zonal office, Iyaganku, Ibadan. He was received at the office by the Southwest Zonal Director, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, top officials of the agency, artisans, trade groups, religious leaders among others.

    The interactive session, aimed at strengthening partnership and collaborative efforts with all stakeholders in the fight against corruption had in attendance the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by its chairman in Oyo State, Mr Waheed Olojede; Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its state chairman, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu; founder of Shafaudeen in Islam Worldwide, Prof Sabitu Olagoke; as well as Oyo state Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu and members of the Corrupt Practices Eradication Organisation of Nigeria (COPEON).

    Magu said, “The EFCC will not, and does not engage in a witch-hunt. Our activities are in line with international best practices. In all that we do, we are indeed, guided first by the fear of God and patriotism to our fatherland and the rule of law. I will continue to discharge my duties solely by the fear of Almighty God, the overriding interest of our fatherland, Nigeria and the rule of law.”

    “It is pertinent for all of us to see ourselves as stakeholders in this fight. We must collectively strive to achieve the Nigeria of our dream, one which our children, indeed, even generations unborn will be proud of.

    “For us at the EFCC, we are driven by courage, integrity and professionalism and our commitment to the common task of improving the lot of our people at the grassroots as we promote working partnership with all of you needs not be emphasised. Like we all know, corruption is the number one problem that has militated against the development of Nigeria, especially the very poor at the grassroots. The havoc that corrupt practices have wreaked on the Nigerian economy is, no doubt, endless.

    “This is why fighting it to a standstill is not only a must but the only lifesaver for our country, as to save the next generation. I want to restate for the records that, there is no better time to prop up the anti-corruption campaign than now. There are various ways of fighting corruption, which is to sensitise, create awareness, and all that. But I am telling you, the looting must stop. We should not glorify the corrupt. We should not appreciate the corrupt. The ill must stop in the interest of our future generation. We have to find a way to protect their future.”

    Magu, who was visibly angry at the level of corruption in the country said the agency did not have any sacred cow in its fight, adding that the stakeholders’ interactive session was organised in recognition of the important roles, which the stakeholders have all played in assisting the commission to achieve its goal of ridding Nigeria of all forms of corruption.

    “No doubt, your commitment and outcry against ills of corruption, particularly in the grassroots is a step in the right direction since the people at the grassroots constitute major victims of the menace of corruption anywhere in the world. I am also very much aware that this responsibility and partnership towards complementing Federal Government’s efforts to rid corruption in Nigeria, is a social responsibility of all of us in line with the change mantra of the present administration.

    “The media owe the people, particularly at the grassroots, the obligation of providing relevant information on the consequences and the negative impact of corruption in the society. We are always ever ready to provide the media with the necessary information to be disseminated to the grassroots on the evil of corruption.”

    The stakeholders in their separate remarks, however, assure the anti-graft agency of their readiness and support to ensure that the corruption and corrupt tendencies are reported and exposed promptly.

     

     

  • It’s cheaper to prevent corruption than fight it – Magu

    It’s cheaper to prevent corruption than fight it – Magu

    Mr Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is cheaper to prevent corruption than to fight it.

    Magu said this on Thursday during the Anti-Corruption Sensitisation Programme organised for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Aviation Sector Workers Abuja.

    He said that section six of the EFCC Act required the commission to, in addition to its enforcement responsibilities, take measures to prevent economic and financial crimes.

    Magu explained that part of such preventive measures was an aggressive sensitisation campaign, public enlightenment and education in both public and private sectors.

    The essence, according to him, is to improve workplace consciousness of corruption and its corrosive effects and encourage workers to embrace them.

    “The EFCC alone couldn’t fight and win the war against corruption in Nigeria.

    “I would like to seize this opportunity to remind us that, corruption affects all of us.

    “We must resolve to fight it to a standstill in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s admonition to us that, “If we don`t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.

    “We must not allow that to happen, for the sake of our children and the unborn generation.’’

    Magu said that the airport, as the most important gateway into the country, was strategic in many ways.

    He said that since airport was foreigners’ first contact with Nigeria, the impression they formed about the country would be largely informed by the conduct of aviation professionals.

    According to Magu, this is why the conduct of aviation professionals is key to the efforts at national rebirth, especially the critical economic mandate of attracting foreign direct investment into the economy.

    He enjoined aviation workers to erase practices, attitudes and behaviours that could cast a slur on the nation’s reputation, thereby making Nigeria an unattractive destination for both tourists and investors.

    The EFCC boss called on the management of FAAN to put screening and monitoring systems in place to ensure that airport staff delivered service to the best international practices.

    “As things stand, except we delude ourselves, we cannot deny that the twin evil of corruption and poor infrastructure have blighted our aviation industry.

    “Our presence here today is to bring the message of anti-corruption to the management and staff of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other aviation workers.

    “In recent times, many cases of corruption have been reported in the sector, ranging from misuse of funds, bribery, extortion to abuse of authority by officials at the airports.

    “The implication of this is the compelling need to strengthen our key integrity systems by consciously eliminating practices that promote corrupt tendencies in the public sectors.

    “It is gratifying that FAAN has inaugurated its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) to ensure transparency, accountability and good ethical practices,’’ he said.

    Magu, while commending the management of FAAN for the steps taken to prevent corruption, also advised the staff to familiarise themselves with the EFCC Act and other laws affecting their duties.

    He said that the Commission was determined more than ever before to rid all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs of all forms of fraudulent activities.

    According to him, FAAN in collaboration with the EFCC can fight corruption effectively.

    The Managing Director of FAAN, Mr Saleh Dunoma, commended EFCC for the initiative to take anti-corruption campaign to the airport, saying that the airport was the best choice.

    Dunoma said that FAAN was determined to collaborate with EFCC in the fight against corruption especially in the aviation sector.

    He also called on the agency to sustain the sensitisation campaign by ensuring that all the airports in the country were covered as well as training of intelligence unit of aviation security on anti-corruption.

    Dunoma urged the participants to pay attention to the presentation by the EFCC to help equip them to support actively in the fight against corruption.

  • Fraudsters using Magu’s name to extort money, says EFCC

    Fraudsters using Magu’s name to extort money, says EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has again warned the public against the activities of fraudsters using the name of its Acting Chairman to dupe public office holders.

    Spokesman of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement on Tuesday that the repeated alerts were necessitated by the persistence of the criminals.

    “For the umpteenth time, the EFCC is constrained to alert the public on the activities of fraudsters who have been extorting prominent office holders using the name of its Acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu.

    “Their targets include sitting governors, ministers, and national chairmen of leading political parties.

    “Members of these criminal gangs, from available information, have been writing invitation letters to some politically exposed persons on the pretext that such communication emanated from the office of the acting chairman of the EFCC.

    “The commission has had cause to issue public disclaimer of such fraudulent letters, still the criminals are undeterred,” Uwujaren said.

    He said there were also cases in the past where fraudsters sent messages demanding bribes from unsuspecting members of the public using cloned email and Facebook accounts of Magu.
    The situation, according to him, is compounded by the fact that not all recipients of such fraudulent invitations had the courage to approach the commission for clarification.

    “The EFCC wishes to dissociate itself from the activities of these criminal gangs.

    “It is important to state that Magu has not written or mandated any one to write any invitation letter to any state governor.

    “He has no reason to do so as they belong to the category of officials that enjoy constitutional immunity from criminal prosecution while in office,” he said.

    The EFCC Spokesman urged affected public officers to be wary and endeavour to verify the authenticity of any supposed letter of invitation they received from the acting chairman.

    “Under no circumstance should members of the public offer gratification to anyone that claims to be an officer of the EFCC.

    “Indeed such demand for gratification is enough indication that an impostor was up to mischief and should immediately be reported to the nearest office of the commission or police station.

    “Magu has not mandated any one to approach anybody to collect bribes on his behalf.

    “Any one claiming to represent his interest in any such unwholesome transaction should be apprehended,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is the second time the commission is issuing this alert this year, the first being in August.

    A similar warning also came in June, 2016.

  • Senate summons bank MDs over freezing of Dame Jonathan’s accounts

    Senate summons bank MDs over freezing of Dame Jonathan’s accounts

    The Senate committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions Monday summoned the managing directors of seven banks over the freezing of the accounts of the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

    The committee also invited the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, over the same issue.

    The banks whose MDs were invited by the committee included  Zenith Bank , First Bank, Ecobank, Fidelity, Stanbic- IBTC , Diamond and Skye Banks.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, gave the order at a sitting of his committee Monday at the hearing of a petition by the former First Lady.

    The petition brought on behalf of Mrs. Jonathan by Granville Abibo (SAN) the former First Lady claimed that the  EFCC and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,( NDLEA) have at different times ” unleashed terror, dehumanizing, degrading and despicable treatment on her and her blood relations without justification.”

    The committee was told that the accounts in which the former first lady’s funds are trapped include that of companies Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development Investment Company and Transocean Property and Investment Ltd.

    Also, the account of her Non- Governmental Organisation-The Women for Change Development Initiative, A.Aruera Foundation as well as Finchley Top Homes Ltd and the former Fist lady’s salary account were frozen the petitioner said.

    “The accounts of her siblings, Innocent Nyegerefaka, Mohammed Oba and Esther Oba have all been frozen by EFCC without any court order, all because they are blood relations of Dame Patience Jonathan,” the petition further reads.

    Senator Anyanwu who issued the summon, insisted that the Managing Directors must appear in person as no representative would be accepted.

    EFCC chairman was absent from the hearing.

    A letter sent to the committee, the anti-graft agency said Magu was out of the country and would be back to the country today (Tuesday).

    As a result of the letter, the committee set Wednesday, 11th of October for the EFCC boss to appear before the committee.

    Mrs. Jonathan’s counsel also informed the committee that his client has resolved her differences with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency hence they would like to strike out the name of NDLEA off the petition before the Senate.

    Mrs. Jonathan counsel, Charles Ogboli, told the committee that the former First Lady’s accounts and that of her relations were frozen without any court order by the EFCC.

    He lamented that the action culminated in the death of Lazarus Eware brother to Mrs. Jonathan.

    He said: “The immediate elder brother to Patience Jonathan, Mr. Lazarus Eware died as a result of unfortunate maltreatment of him by EFCC as he could no longer cope in the face of this repeated humiliation, terror attacks and financial handicap.

    “He could no longer meet up with his responsibilities of his family including children’s school fees and medical bills.

    “As we speak, his lifeless body is still lying in a mortuary yet to be buried. The only offence said to have been committed by him is that he is the elder brother to Dame Patience Jonathan.”

  • Creation of `stand-alone’ NFIU needless — Magu

    Creation of `stand-alone’ NFIU needless — Magu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday insisted that the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) was independent of its control.

    The Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu, said at an interactive session with editors on Wednesday in Abuja, that ongoing efforts to create a “stand-alone’’ NFIU was needless.

    It would be recalled that the NFIU, which is domiciled in the EFCC, was recently suspended by the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units reportedly for not being independent.

    Egmont Group is a global financial intelligence gathering body made up of 156 Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) representing 156 countries.

    It is a platform for members to share expertise and financial intelligence to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU)

    The group reportedly demanded autonomy for the NFIU as a condition for the suspension to be lifted, failing which Nigeria would be expelled in January, 2018.

    Following the suspension, the Senate moved to establish the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Agency through a bill, which passed second reading in July.

    Magu said, “I am not opposed to the autonomy of the NFIU; in fact the NFIU has always been operationally autonomous.

    “I understand the workings of Financial Intelligence Units around the world and they are domiciled in law enforcement agencies based on their credibility.

    “This is another way of corruption fighting back; people are fighting and pretending to be in support of what is ongoing, but they are not giving a face to the fight against corruption.’’

    Shedding more light on this, the Director of the NFIU, said the Egmont Group was simply asking for amendment of Section 1(2)(c) of the EFCC Act.

    Usani said the group was not demanding the creation of a separate NFIU as being portrayed in some quarters.

    “The section says that the EFCC is a designated FIU, but the group is saying the provision is not clear to them.

    “What the group is saying is that we should create the NFIU as a unit under the EFCC by amending that provision of the EFCCT Act. It is as simple as that.

    “But it is unfortunate that the perception generally is tending towards abusing what the Egmont Group is asking us to do.

    “As the Chairman has said, there is a very high level of operational autonomy in the NFIU.

    “When we talk about operational autonomy it is different from administrative autonomy.

    “The NFIU has three core responsibilities which are to receive information, analyse the information and disseminate it to law enforcement agencies.”

    Usani said other law enforcement agencies make request for information directly to the NFIU without the knowledge of the EFCC chairman.

    He explained that the chairman had no knowledge of information given by the NFIU to agencies like the ICPC, DSSAN among others.

    “The NFIU signs MoUs without the EFCC chairman’s consent, I attend meetings within and outside the country which the chairman doesn’t know about.

    “There are a lot of other things we do at the NFIU without his knowledge. The chairman doesn’t ask me who is making request to us or to who we are making request to.

    “Even my international engagements he doesn’t know about.

    “All these give credence to its operational autonomy. But these issues are being politicised and that is what pains me the most,” he added.

    The director warned that a stand-alone NFIU was against the principles and protocols of the Egmont Group and would earned the country total expulsion.

  • Corrupt EFCC officials undergoing trial – Magu

    Corrupt EFCC officials undergoing trial – Magu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says some of its officials are currently being prosecuted for corruption in various courts across the country.

    The Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu, disclosed this at an interactive session with Editors in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Magu, who did not immediately give the number of the affected officials, said he would not condone any act of corruption in the agency.

    “Recently, we had to discharge about nine cadet officers because of problems with their certificates from various institutions.

    “We are also prosecuting a lot of officers. Some of them are already in court.

    “There is a way you can help us. Just like you can help us with information regarding corrupt practices outside the EFCC, and proceeds of corruption, you can also assist in giving us the information.

    “But, I assure you, I do not tolerate, I won’t condone any act of corruption in the EFCC.

    “ I cannot be everywhere but I am telling you I don’t spare any allegation no matter how little, we make sure we investigate.

    “No allegation against the EFCC personnel is left uninvestigated. Even if there is an allegation against me, we will refer it to the appropriate authority to investigate.’’

    The EFCC boss said that the ongoing anti-corruption war was getting tougher, saying the fight had never been this tough in the several years he had spent in the battle.

    He reiterated his call for concerted efforts by all stakeholders, especially the media,  in the fight.

    `Nobody will claim ownership, nobody has a better knowledge than the other person, nobody has a monopoly of knowledge in the fight against corruption.“We need everybody on board now that the fight against corruption is getting tougher. I have been in this business for a very long time; it has never been this tough like now.

    “Some of us feel that it is our generation that caused corruption. So, we have a responsibility to clear the debt.

    “Please don’t get tired because it is about Nigeria, it is not about individuals. All of us have a responsibility to God Almighty to fight corruption.

    “Let us double our efforts. From the way we are going, they have already failed. It is already half won, but we must sustain the momentum.’’

  • AGF’s directives create tension in the EFCC

    AGF’s directives create tension in the EFCC

    There were fears yesterday over the future of the Buhari administration’s anti-corruption war, following a letter from the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).

    The AGF is demanding for the outcome of some investigations and recommendations on such cases  from the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

    The letter is suspected to be a booby trap for Magu to show whether or not he will disrespect the directive of the AGF.

    At the EFCC, officials are concerned that the AGF may use his constitutional powers to determine which cases to prosecute or discontinue.

    It was learnt that the Presidency may, however, wade into the crisis of confidence between the AGF and the Acting EFCC chairman.

    The AGF, in an August 1 letter (titled Compliance with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  (Enforcement) Regulations 2010) signed by Abiodun Aikomo Esq, directed Magu to ensure “compliance going forward”. There was no timeline for the submission of the reports on serious cases. Besides, such cases are not listed.

    The letter said: “I am directed by the Honourable Attorney- General and Minister of Justice to refer to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  (Enforcement) Regulations 2010 (the Regulation) published in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No.61 Vol. of 21st September 2010, particularly the obligations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  (EFCC/the Commission)thereunder.  The said Regulation is attached herewith for ease of reference.

    “I am directed to refer specifically to Section 10 (1) which mandates the Commission to forward to the Attorney- General, in respect of a case of complaint which is serious or complex within the context of the Regulation, the outcome of its investigation(s) with its recommendations on whether there are sufficient grounds to initiate prosecution.

    “The Honourable Attorney-General observes that the Commission has been in breach of the above cited provision of the Regulation for some time, hence this reminder to the Commission to ensure compliance going forward.

    “Accept please, the assurances of the best of the Honourable Attorney General.”

    The AGF’s directive has created some tension in the EFCC because it appears that the Minister has drawn a line.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We suspect that the AGF now wants to determine which serious cases to prosecute and those to discontinue.

    “This is a replica of what we experienced about 10 years ago when a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mike Aondoakaa(SAN), was trying to exercise his prosecutorial powers by cutting the former EFCC Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to size.

    “We are all downcast because what we consider good cases might be rejected by the AGF. Yet, the Acting EFCC chairman cannot disobey the AGF.

    “This is the second time the EFCC will go through this type of hurdle during the tenure of Magu. At a point, the National Prosecution Committee demanded for similar case files but we could not afford such a risk.”

    The source added: “We are expecting that the Presidency will intervene to manage the crisis of confidence between the AGF and the Acting Chairman of EFCC.

    “Magu has nothing against the AGF but some forces are just creating bad blood between them.”

    The office of the AGF said yesterday that it had no plan to take over high profile criminal cases from the prosecuting agencies handling them.

    AGF spokesman Salihu Isah told The Nation that a letter from the Federal Ministry of Justice, requesting some prosecuting agencies to update the ministry with development in such cases was not an attempt to take over the cases.

    He said such information was required by the National Prosecution Coordination Committee (NPCC) to enable it assess the cases, plan and offer strategic advice where necessary.

    Isah, who also acts as the spokesman for the NPCC, which resides within the Federal Ministry of Justice, noted that the committee was empowered to seek such information from the various prosecuting agencies to enable it perform its responsibility of advising the AGF.

    He said: “The letter did not say they should hand over the cases to us. The committee wants to know the status of the cases so that they will know what to do to assist. It is not that we are taking over. The media appears not to understand what we are doing.

    “You should know that the Federal Ministry of Justice, being the supervisory ministry for these prosecuting agencies, deserves to know the status of these cases. So, that is why we want them to furnish the ministry and the NPCC with information about the status of these cases.”

    Isah drew attention to a statement he issued late last year at the inauguration of the NPCC, explaining the responsibilities of the committee.

    Isah, in the statement issued last November, said the 19-man NPCC “is charged with ensuring the efficient, effective and result oriented prosecution of high profile criminal cases in the country.

    “The Committee is also to guarantee prompt contact and synergy between investigators and the prosecutors of high profile criminal cases, manage information to the public on such cases as well as to ensure strict compliance to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

    “For its terms of reference, the NPCC is to advise the HAGF on the exercise of his prosecutorial powers in Section 150 and 174 of the 1999 Constitution, prepare the policy strategy document for the coordination of investigation and prosecution of high profile criminal cases in Nigeria and to also collate the list of such cases as well as assigning them to prosecution teams.

    “The Committee will scrutinise the proof of evidence and charges in high profile criminal cases in the country before arraignment. In addition, it will receive and analyse reports from the investigation and prosecution teams engaged to handle such cases.”

  • Turaki asks court to jail Magu

    Turaki asks court to jail Magu

    An FCT High Court was on Monday asked to commit the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, for contempt of court for refusing to release former Jigawa governor, Saminu Turaki on bail.

    The application was filed before Justice Yusuf Halilu, who is the vacation Judge.

    Turaki was arrested on charges of money laundering by EFCC at a public function on July 4 following a bench warrant the commission said it got at a Federal High Court in Dutse, Jigawa in 2014.

    However, the former governor went to court to seek for enforcement of his fundamental human right arguing that the period of his detention by the EFCC had gone beyond the stipulated 48 hours provided by the constitution.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Justice Yusuf Halilu on July 13, ordered EFCC to release the former governor from its custody on bail.

    Under the bail conditions Turaki was expected to present two sureties who must have a verifiable means of livelihood and must be resident within the FCT.

    He was also ordered  to deposit all his travel documents with the court registry and to report to EFCC every two weeks for signing of a register that would be opened for him.

    However, the EFCC filed a motion on July 14 asking the court to set aside the bail it granted to him.

    According to EFCC, the bail condition is too liberal and that the matter is already before the Abuja Federal High Court as at the time the court granted the bail.

    In an application filed on his behalf by Mrs Regina Okotie-Eboh of Rickey Tarfa Chambers, Turaki is praying the court to jail Magu for disobeying its order.

    He is also praying the court to compel the commission to release him from custody and rule that it has jurisdiction to hear the matter.

    Justice Halilu adjourned until July 20 to hear the application.

  • Presidency/NASS urged to approach court over Magu

    Presidency/NASS urged to approach court over Magu

    The Presidency and the National Assembly have been urged to put the interest of the nation above any other interests to reach an amicable resolution over the fate of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu.

    Should dialogue failed to resolve the impasse over the EFCC boss, the National Assembly has been urged to approach the court to seek interpretation of the contentious issue instead of heating up the polity.

    Making the call at a news conference in Abuja, the Chairman of the Patriotic Movement of Nigeria, Malam Bello Abdulkadir said this has become necessary given the fact that Nigeria is currently facing challenges of development, national cohesion, security, poverty and unemployment.

    Malam Bello also urged the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to take practical steps towards addressing the issues that have kept Nigeria fragmented in the past few months along its geo-political and ethno-cultural fault lines.

    Malam Bello was flanked at the briefing by other members of the group such as a former NADECO Chieftain, Dr Udenta O Udenta, former PDP Gubernatorial aspirant in Adamawa state, Dr Umar Ado, Former Commissioner for Information in Kano state, Dr Farouk B. Farouk, Pastor Godwin Akpobi, Special Adviser to Gombe state governor, Hajiya Aisha Hashidu and a former political Adviser to Ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, Alh Hussaini Jallo.

    He told journalists that the intervention of the group at this critical period was to save the country from imminent crisis and initiate a national conversation that would preserve the unity of Nigeria as a collective inheritance of all Nigerians.

    Malam Bello said: “the events of the past few months-defined by mutual recriminations, angst,and acrimonious diatribe -across our ethnic-cultural and geo-political frontiers is a source of deep worry to all genuine patriots.

    “We are truly alarmed at this turn of events. To keep silent as abusive language and insults are freely hurled in all directions is not an option. Now is the time to redirect our energy towards productive citizens’ dialogue under-girded by commonsense, civility, humility, logic and rational thought even as we canvass positions dear to our heart.

    Now is the time to silence the drums of war and sings the hymns of peace. Now is the time to return our swords to their scabbard and raise instead the spectre of love”, asserted as he promised to use the platform of his group to bring all the warring ethnic groups together for the good of the country.

    We also pledge to develop a strategic plan of action centered around public advocacy and strategic communication that will seek a buy-in by different ethnic, social and cultural groups aimed at de-escalating and ultimately arresting and overcoming the rising tide of separatist agitations and sectarian and ethno-cultural tensions, Malam Bello stated.