Don’t promote Magu, prosecute him, PDP to Buhari

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told President Muhammadu Buhari and the Police Service Commission (PSC) to initiate prosecution against former acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, over his alleged indictment by Justice Ayo Salami Panel set up to probe allegations levelled against him.

The PDP’s call followed a reported move to promote the former anti-graft boss from his present rank of Commissioner of Police to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).

In a statement issued by Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity its Secretary, on Tuesday, the party expressed discomfort about the reports, which suggested that despite the alleged indictment for corruption and abuse of office Magu has been pencilled down for elevation.

According to the main opposition party, the planned promotion “further confirms that the Buhari Presidency is a sanctuary of corruption.”

The statement said, “The party describe as outrageous and a direct slap on the sensibilities of Nigerians that the Buhari administration is reportedly planning to promote Magu to Assistant Inspector General of Police, despite being indicted in the alleged stealing of billions of naira recovered by the EFCC as well as cases of abuse of office in the commission by the Justice Ayo Salami Presidential investigation panel.”

“It is indeed ludicrous, though true to its proclivity to cover corruption, that the Buhari Presidency, instead of allowing the law to take its course, is rather rewarding corruption by reportedly planning to promote an individual indicted for treasury looting and compromising of high-profile corruption cases for pecuniary gains.

“Our party invites Nigerians to note how the Buhari administration has failed to take disciplinary action against Magu, as recommended by the Salami panel, but seeks to reward him with a promotion in spite of the report by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, which nailed him for alleged diversion of recovered funds and fraudulent sale of assets seized by the EFCC.

“This is in addition to reports by the Department of State Services (DSS) which also stated that Magu had failed ‘the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption stand of the current government.”

“The reports of planned promotion for Magu has heightened apprehension in the public space that certain top officials in the Buhari Presidency are overburdened with corruption complicity and fears that a docked Magu would expose their atrocities.

“Nigerians could recall how the counsel to Magu, Wahab Shittu, boastfully declared that he has Magu’s instruction to inform the public that “he will be reinstated back to the office.”

The PDP, however, called on the PSC and the Police high command to resist the pressure from the corrupt cabal in the Buhari Presidency to pitch them against Nigerians over Magu but rather commence processes for his prosecution in a court of competent jurisdiction in the interest of justice.”

The PDP further counselled President Buhari not to “ease off” the allegations of corruption against Magu but should make Justice Salami’s report open and if necessary, prosecute the former EFCC chairman.