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Tag: Magu

  • EFCC records 113 convictions in 6 months – Magu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recorded 113 convictions nationwide between January and June, its Acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, said on Friday.

    Magu, according to a statement by the commission’s spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, told stakeholders at an interactive meeting that the convictions were made possible by their contributions and support.

    The EFCC boss reportedly vowed not to spare the corrupt despite the prevailing obstacles in the anti-graft war.

    “We will not fail to bring to book those who have corruptly stolen our commonwealth and thereafter organise to destabilise the anti-corruption initiatives.

    “I will not relent, I will fight for the interest of our citizens and our children’s future,” he said.

    Magu reiterated his position that corruption is at the root of recent separatist agitations in parts of the country, and urged all patriotic Nigerians to join forces against those tendencies.

    Civil society leaders, who spoke at the forum, called on the commission to step up its awareness creation activities on the prevention of corruption.

    They urged the EFCC to create communication strategies that would motivate the masses to join the anti-corruption crusade.

    Malachy Ugwumadu, President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), described the anti-corruption fight as a class struggle and war that must be won by the people.

    “This is a class struggle between the political elites and those of us fighting to rescue the soul of our society.

    “The battle may be lost if we don’t reorganise and focus on the people who seem confused due to manipulation by the corrupt few,” Ugwumadu reportedly said.

    Jiti Ogunye, a lawyer and human rights activist, acknowledged the challenges confronting the anti-corruption agencies, especially the dangerous environment in which their personnel operate.

    He sued for encouragement and public support for all anti-corruption agencies to reduce the pressure on EFCC.

    On his part, Dr Joe Odumakin of Women Arise, called for committment and synergy among civil society groups.

    “This is not a day to agonise but to organise and put our strategies in focus. Enough of the diversionary tactics employed by those who hate the commission.

    “We must put our house in order, and create more awareness in the communities on the dangers of corruption and how we can mobilise the common people for support,” he said.(NAN)

  • Build maximum prison in Sambisa Forest for corrupt officials, Magu tells FG

    As an effective way of combating corruption in the land, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu has called on the Federal Government to build a Maximum Prison in Sambisa Forest specifically for corrupt people who have been convicted by the courts.

    He said the reason for the appeal was to express clearly that corrupt practice will not be tolerated in the land.

    Magu said this when he received the Media team of National Committee of Buhari Support Groups (NCBSG) on Monday in his office in Abuja.

    The EFCC noted that if approved, it will serve as a special prison unit for corrupt people, which will totally isolate them and cut them off from their comfort zones.

    He lamented that when kept in Lagos maximum Kirikiri prison, “they still go about their businesses as if nothing is amiss, using their communication gadgets, whereas, their actions have made Nigeria poorer than most Nations of the world. Maximum prison in Sambisa Forest specifically for corrupt people.‎”

    “EFCC is leaving nothing to chance, we will making sure we continue to have the toughest position in the nation in relation to reducing and eliminating corruption activities,” Magu added.

    Magu said the anti-graft agency was determined to banish corruption from the land.

  • EFCC invades Sun Newspapers as management accuses Magu of intimidation

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the early hours of Monday (today) invaded the headquarters of The Sun Newspapers thereby disrupting normal activities and circulation of the papers.

    According to the management of the newspaper, the EFCC operatives intimidated staff of the company who were within the premises.

    It said the operatives prevented passage in and out of the premises by both workers and distributors of the newspaper.

    The statement by the management reads in full:

    EFCC INVASION OF THE SUN PREMISES: OUR POSITION, BY THE SUN MANAGEMENT

    Law -abiding staff of The Sun Publishing Limited resumed work this morning, June 12, 2017 to behold heavily armed EFCC operatives in our company. They claimed to have “orders from above” to seal up the premises of The Sun Publishing Limited.

    At gunpoint, they ordered our security personnel to take them round the company premises, after which they proceeded to prevent staff from either entering or leaving the premises, and disrupted our circulation process.

    For one gruelling hour, EFCC operatives subjected our staff to crude intimidation, psychological and emotional trauma, even as some of the men accused our organisation of publishing pro-Biafra, Boko Haram and Niger Delta militant stories, as they surveyed our premises.

    We recall that in 2007, (10 years ago) the EFCC had obtained an interim forfeiture order in respect of some assets of The Sun, attached to a suit against our Publisher, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, for which we have filed an appeal, which is still pending in court.

    We also recall that the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu had written a letter personally signed by him dated 23rd of May and received on the 7th of June, asking The Sun management to report to the Commission on 5th of June, detailing our operations in the last 10 years, on account of an interim order of forfeiture under appeal.

    As law abiding corporate citizen, our lawyer, Chief Chris Uche SAN, wrote the Commission to intimate the Agency that the issue was pending before the court of Appeal. The receipt of our correspondence was duly acknowledged.

    We were, therefore, shocked that our premises would be invaded by the Commission under whatever guise. This is condemnable and reprehensible. No one, Agency or authority should be above the laws of our country. An abuse of the law is a recipe for chaos.

    Magu had in an earlier letter threatened to sue The Sun over a report published by one of our titles, pertaining to a report on investigation of a property allegedly traced to his wife. But up till now, we are yet to receive any court process.

    In the light of the above, we strongly view this onslaught against The Sun as a personal vendetta by the leadership of the Commission, and by extension a declaration of war against the media.

    In this invasion of our premises, it is crystal clear that what Magu and his Commission are after is not only to intimidate and muzzle us, but a furious attempt to call a dog a bad name in order to hang it.

    On the issue of the interim order, which he purportedly based his invasion, Magu knows the matter has been on appeal since 2007 for which hearing comes up this week. But rather than wait for the court process, the Commission under the leadership of Magu, typically resorted to self help.

    We want the general public to take note of this authoritarianism and high handedness, which has been the hallmark of Magu’s leadership of the EFCC.

    The other charge of publishing Biafra, Boko Haram and Niger Delta militant stories is very ridiculous, baseless and anti-Press freedom.

    We like to state that we are neither an ethnic, political nor religious newspaper, but we are the Voice of the Nation, reflecting all sides, all views and all shades of opinion in line with the ethics of our profession.

    We challenge Magu and his Commission to show where The Sun’s stories have been different from other papers in the country.

    We call on well-meaning citizens and relevant authorities to restrain Magu and his Commission from taking the laws into their hands.

  • Ibrahim Magu emerges Commonwealth anti-graft vice-chair

    The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu has emerged the Vice-Chairman of the Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa.

    The anti-graft agency in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, on Thursday, said the announcement was made after the association rounded off its 7th regional conference in Malawi, with a decision that Nigeria hosts the next conference of the association in 2018.

    “At the end of their deliberations, the conference issued a communiqué in which they among other things emphasised the need to have a platform for sharing emerging practices and country innovation in the fight against corruption for the promotion of good governance.

    “They also admonished the agencies to create a platform for intelligence and data sharing for effective asset recovery, while encouraging them to continue with benchmarking visits to maintain learning and sharing of ideas and experience.

    “The conference further stressed the need for members to expand the network with other sectors to enhance the fight against corruption including collaboration with the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption, the civil society, the media and the private sector.

    “Other issues that engaged the attention of the heads of the anti-graft agencies of Commonwealth Africa was the need for the respective agencies to deepen the use of innovative techniques for prevention education and investigation in the fight against corruption as well as consider implementing Whistle Blowing legislation for effective protection of whistleblowers,” Uwujaren said.

  • ‘I’II wipe out corruption in one year,’ Magu boasts

    ‘I’II wipe out corruption in one year,’ Magu boasts

    Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, on Thursday said that he would end corruption in Nigeria in the next 12 months.

    Magu spoke during the official opening of the Ibadan Zonal Office and Stakeholders Engagement Session, held in Iyagaku, Ibadan.

    He said despite the challenges being faced by the agency, the anti-corruption war had been a success.

    The event was also attended by the Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, who was represented by one of the traditional rulers from Osun State, and other notable dignitaries.

    Magu said, “The fight has just started and we will do it to the last. We will get them out, just give me 12 months, you will not see them again.”

  • Nigerians are fed up with corruption, looters – Magu

    Nigerians are fed up with corruption, looters – Magu

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has said Nigerians are fed up with corruption as obtained in both public and private institutions.

    He explained that the anti-graft agency has achieved a lot in the fight against corruption because President Muhammadu Buhari gave the agency a free hand to operate by not interfering in any of its high and low profile cases.

    Magu, who made the remark at an anti-corruption rally in Abuja on Tuesday, said impunity in public affairs had been checked to a considerable extent but that a “band of corrupt elite” are fighting the efforts of the agency.

    According to Magu, the commission had proven that there was no scared cow in the fight against corruption.

    He said, “The reign of impunity in the conduct of public affairs has been checked to a considerable extent by taking on the high and mighty in all sectors.

    “The EFCC has proven that there is no sacred cow in the fight against corruption. All of these have been made possible by a new political climate in Nigeria under President Buhari who has demonstrated the will to fight corruption by not interfering the operation of the anti-graft agencies.

    “This ordinarily should provide impetus for greater exploits. Sadly, that is not the case. A band of corrupt elite threatened by momentum of the anti-graft war wants to derail the process.

    “They are deadly, and without remorse, they plot and scheme to defeat the anti-corruption and take the country back to the dark days when corruption and impunity reign supreme.

    “When most of us who feel the pain of corruption are asking for bigger convictions, the cabal profiteering from corruption will want the campaign watered down.

    “When many Nigerians are calling for stiffer punishments for corrupt, the patrons of corruption are saying it does not pay to punish the corrupt. When we are sweating in the sun to express our collective hatred for corruption; they are busy in their ACs in their mansions plotting how to continue the looting.

    “I believe that God will not allow them to succeed because they have exposed themselves as the true enemies of the masses of Nigeria. These wicked people must be defeated. The days of impunity are gone forever.

    “Nigerians who are fed up with the status quo yearn for change. The change they want is not a return to impunity. The change they want is not to return to looting. Nigerians are fed up with the looters.”

  • My visit to Rivers Chief Judge not for judicial favour – Magu

    My visit to Rivers Chief Judge not for judicial favour – Magu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cleared the air on the visit of its Acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu to the Chief Judge of Rivers, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra on Monday.

    It said that contrary to speculation, the visit was not connected to any of its cases pending before the chief judge.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the clarification was made in a statement issued by the Spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren on Tuesday.

    Uwujaren said Magu’s visit to Iyayi-Lamikanra was a courtesy call as part of his working visit to the headquarters of the South South zonal office of the commission in Port Harcourt.

    “Apart from the Chief Judge, Magu also visited the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed.

    “Indeed, it is a matter of routine courtesy for the EFCC boss to visit critical stakeholders, particularly law enforcement and justice sector leaders in zones where the commission maintain offices.

    “Such gestures are not meant to compromise or influence them to favour the commission in the discharge of their responsibilities,’’ he explained.

    The EFCC spokesman said the clarification was in reaction to a report in a national daily purporting that the visit was causing disquiet in the state.

    He quoting the report as saying “the state House of Assembly is considering passing a resolution calling for the suspension of the chief judge for receiving Magu’’.

    Uwujaren said an anonymous source told the paper that the lawmakers believed the visit had put the Chief Judge under pressure, and that it was wrong for Magu to visit a judge over any case.

    Uwujaren noted that the visit was pursuant to the commission’s belief that it had a shared responsibility with other workers in the justice delivery system to promote the fight against corruption.

    According to him, visits such as this one offer the commission the opportunity to share experiences and remind the hosts of their responsibilities under the EFCC Act, especially as it concerns the designation of judges to handle EFCC cases.

    “Justice Laminkara is not the first Chief Judge to host Magu and it will be distasteful to malign her over a civilised gesture of receiving a head of a federal agency.

    “Many judges have hosted Magu without a whimper from any quarter. Before now, the EFCC boss visited the Chief Judges of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States.

    “At the federal level, he has paid courtesy visits to the Chief Judges of the Federal High Court, the Federal Capital Territory High Court and the President of the Court of Appeal.

    “These visits have not stopped the commission from losing cases before judges under the supervision of these respected judicial officials,’’ he said.

     

     

    NAN

  • JUST IN: Buhari, Monguno, Magu others pray inside Aso Rock Mosque

    JUST IN: Buhari, Monguno, Magu others pray inside Aso Rock Mosque

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday joined other Muslim faithful for the Juma’at service inside a mosque at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Buhari was joined at the prayer session by the Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello; Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malawi (SAN); National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Darua; and the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu.

    Others who joined the President for the prayer were his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari; Permanent Secretary, State House, Jalal Arabi; and the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, among others.

    Shortly after the session, Monguno, Daura and Magu engaged in a long discussion at the forecourt of the President’s office before leaving the premises.

     

  • Stop Magu from ‘posing’ as EFCC Chairman, Adegboruwa tells court

    Stop Magu from ‘posing’ as EFCC Chairman, Adegboruwa tells court

    A lawyer and rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has urged a Federal High Court in Lagos to restrain Ibrahim Magu from parading himself as acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    In his new suit filed on Monday, Adegboruwa is also asking the Senate not to entertain any further request for the confirmation of Magu as the EFCC Chairman.

    The defendants in the suit are the Senate, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the EFCC and Magu.

    In a 39-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Adegboruwa, he traced the appointment of Magu back to November 9, 2015, contending that he had been functioning in acting capacity as EFCC Chairman beyond the six months allowed by law.

    Adegboruwa contended in his suit that since the Senate had rejected Magu as substantive chairman of EFCC, he could not thereafter be illegally functioning in acting capacity.

    Citing the provisions of Section 2 (3) of the EFCC Act, Adegboruwa argued that the section makes confirmation by the Senate, a condition precedent to the appointment of the EFCC chairman.

    He argued that since the provision of section 2 (3) of the EFCC Act was activated by forwarding the nomination of Magu to the Senate, he could not defy the decision of the Senate, which rejected him for the substantive appointment.

    Adegboruwa stated that notwithstanding the clear decision of the Senate not to confirm Magu, he has continued to parade himself in office as EFCC Chairman.

    He said that an example of such act was when he met with representatives of the United States Embassy on January 6, 2017, clearly defying the decision of the Senate.

    Adegboruwa is therefore, asking the court to restrain the EFCC and all other authorities, from recognising, treating or in any other manner, dealing with Magu as the Chairman of EFCC, either in acting or substantive capacity.

    He also seeks a declaration that given his conduct in office so far, he is not a fit and proper person to function in office as chairman of EFCC.

    Consequently, Adegboruwa is asking the court to give an order forthwith directing Magu to vacate and relinquish his office as EFCC Chairman, whether in acting or substantive capacity.

    The lawyer also wants the court to declare void, all actions taken by the EFCC under the tenure of Magu, especially charges and information preferred in court.
    No date has been fixed for hearing of the new suit.

  • Just in: Magu is not sacked or removed – EFCC

    Just in: Magu is not sacked or removed – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has maintained that its acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu, has not been sacked or removed as erroneously reported by a newspaper ( Not TheNewsGuru) on Saturday.

    The leading anti-graft agency Charged with the responsibility of investigation and enforcement of all economic and financial crimes laws in Nigeria, argued that the report was a lie as Magu remains the acting chairman of the agency.

    The agency via his official Twitter handle, @officialEFCC noted that ‘Magu Not Sacked!’

    In a similar, the presidency denied media reports that it has authorised the sack of Ibrahim Magu as the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    The presidency made this known in series of tweets by Garba Shehu, the spokesman of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Recall there was a media report that Magu has been redeployed back to Nigerian Police Force (NPF) in a move to pave way for a fresh person to be presented by President Buhari as the nominee to head the anti-graft agency before the Senate.

    It was also alleged that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has already issued a letter to Magu on the development and directed that he hands over to the Director of Operations in the Commission.

    Magu’s nomination was recently rejected by the Senate following allegation of graft levelled against him by the Department of State Security Service (DSS).