Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu revealed, in Kaduna, yesterday, that they have the mandate to investigate every government official, including ministers, irrespective of political party affiliations.
Magu, who said the mandate was part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s measures towards winning the war against corruption, disclosed that, “every government official is under investigation without them knowing it.”
He said this during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the National Union of Textiles and Garment Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), in Kaduna.
However, Magu dispelled insinuations in some quarters that EFCC operations was one-sided in the fight against corruption.
“We have course to investigate; in fact, we are investigating those in government without them knowing. Not only that, the president has given me the mandate to investigate every corrupt Nigerian leader irrespective of his political affiliation. I don’t think we have the monopoly of knowledge to tackle corruption. But, more than that, the fight against corruption is designed and structured to boost confidence in the economy as well as to attract investors both within and outside the country,” Magu added.
The EFCC boss also described corruption as a crime against humanity.
He said, before now, there was no hope for Nigeria, but President Buhari had shown “demonstrable political” will to deal with corruption.
“Corruption affects everybody, that is why everyone is a major stakeholder in the fight. That is why I have the passion, zeal and courage to lead the fight against corruption,” Magu said.
In his remarks, NUTGTWN General Secretary, Issa Aremu said the EFCC should be empowered to invite those living above means to explain their sources of wealth.
Aremu said if investigating agencies were not satisfied with explanations by suspects about their sources of wealth, such persons should be prosecuted.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has revealed why it arrested former presidential spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati on Monday.
The commission said, in a post on its official Facebook page, it invited Abati to its Abuja Headquarters to explain his role in an alleged mismanagement of the nation’s funds during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. An EFCC operative told Daily Sun the specific reason Abati was invited “has to do with the ONSA money.”
EFCC also arrested and detained former minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed over alleged N1.2 trillion fraud. Last week, former minister of state for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro was detained on allegations of money laundering.
Meanwhile, legal luminaries has called for the resignation of he Minister of Transport, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi following allegations that he tried to influence the outcome of some election petition cases.
Two justices of the Supreme Court, Inyang Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta had accused the minister of offering them bribe to help influence the apex court’s decisions in some election cases.
In separate letters to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, the two accused Amaechi of instigating their ordeal because they refused to deliver judgement in his favour.
The two justices were among the seven judges arrested recently by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS.
Speaking on whether the minister should relinquish his post pending investigation of the bribery allegations made against, a former President, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN said that although the bribery allegation has not been proved, international best practice demands that he should step down pending investigation of the matter.
According to Agbakoba the way the matter is handled will depend on how the President wants people to perceive his fight against corruption.
He said: “International best practice suggest that whenever such allegations are made and you occupy a very serious position, then it is in your interest to take a leave of absence.
“It happened when the minister for defence in Canada was accused of giving a contract to his friend, he stepped aside pending when the matter was investigated.”
Agbakoba wondered why three weeks after the DSS operatives raided the homes of the judges; the Federal Government was yet to file charges against them.
Also speaking on the issue, human rights lawyer, Fred Agbaje said Amaechi should be suspended from office pending when the allegation is resolved.
He said: “It is a mere allegation until proven against him. He will still have to remain in office. But what government can do for now is that he can be suspended from work until the allegations levelled against him are proven.” – The Sun, The Mirror.
