Ibrahim Magu, former acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), may not be prosecuted even if he were found guilty of the charges levelled against him by Abubakar Malami (SAN), Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Attorney-General ter of Justice.
The PDP and some civil society organisations have been unequivocal in the demand for the prosecution of Magu, who is currently being quizzed by the Presidential Investigative Panel chaired by former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami.
The PDP, in a statement at the weekend, had asked the Federal Government to begin the prosecution of Magu, saying his indictment had reinforced its position that the much-hyped war against corruption by the EFCC, under Magu’s watch, had been a huge scam by “corrupt individuals to cover the plundering of public resources, harass political opponents, intimidate and extort money from innocent Nigerians”.
The party, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, observed that the revelations of diversion of recovered funds and fraudulent sale of assets seized by the EFCC, among other sleazes, as detailed in the memo by the Attorney General, as well as the report of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Magu’s activities, further exposed the racket that the fight against corruption had become under the APC government.
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However, speaking with Daily Independent on the issue, a presidency source, who asked not to be named, said Nigerians should wait for the outcome of the probe panel before deciding on the next line of action.
According to him, it is difficult to conclude that Magu is guilty without first getting the report of the probe panel.
He, however, added that given the fact that the petition against Magu came from Malami, the minister supervising the commission he headed, “the likelihood that the allegations levelled against him are true is very high”.
He added: “I don’t think Magu will be prosecuted even if found guilty. The ultimate aim is to relieve him of his job and that has been achieved. One thing is certain – he is not returning to his position as acting chairman of the EFCC.
“There is an acting chairman in place already. And also don’t forget that Malami recommended some names to the president as replacement.
“It is believed that one of the names will be sent to the Senate for confirmation as substantive chairman of the commission.
“Even if the Federal Government decides to prosecute him due to public outcry, it will be delayed and maybe eventually discarded at the end of the day.”
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