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EFCC Can’t Arrest Nigerians If Magu Remains In Office – Adegboruwa

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Achike Udenwa
  • EFCC Can’t Arrest Nigerians If Magu Remains In Office

Activist lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has faulted the argument that the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu can continue in acting capacity despite being rejected by the Senate as substantive chairman of the anti-graft agency, stating that the anti-graft agency is too sensitive to be headed by a rejected candidate.

Speaking in a statement forwarded to daily post on Friday, the Lagos lawyer stated that the December 14 rejection of Magu by the Senate means that the operations of the EFCC after the Upper Chamber’s decision will be deemed as illegal.

He warned that if the acting EFCC chairman continues in office as acting chairman after Thursday’s development, it would give the impression that Magu has been appointed to do a hatchet job, stressing that his continued stay in office after the rejection would make the EFCC unable to institute court cases or arrest any citizen.

The statement, which averred that President Muhammadu Buhari can find a better replacement for Magu out of the about 180 million Nigerians, reads:

The rejection of Mr Ibrahim Magu by the Senate as the substantive chairman of the EFCC is received with mixed feelings.

First, it reasserts the independence of the Legislative arm of government, which is not bound to accept all proposals and candidates of the executive, hook line and sinker.

Second, it is wrong to build our institutions, especially the anti corruption agencies, around individuals. We should strengthen the institutions rather than the individuals. In this regard, the rejection of Mr Magu should have no impact upon the work of the EFCC, ordinarily. In a country of about 180 million people, the President should shop for a replacement that can perform the job as much or even better than Mr Magu.

Third, the anti corruption agencies, especially the EFCC, need a general overhaul, which can only be achieved through a new man on the saddle. The issues plaguing the EFCC, of disregard for the rule of law, of corruption, abuse of human rights, leading to constant but avoidable deaths of citizens in EFCC custody, obnoxious bail conditions as a means of keeping citizens in custody for longer periods of time, extortion and torture of suspects, are some of the reasons why there is need for a new hand that can overhaul the agency.

Fourth, the senate based its decision on security report, which is now in the public domain and in that regard the senate cannot be faulted.

The issues raised in the report of the DSS in relation to Magu cannot be overlooked, as in similar or less weighty circumstances, the EFCC, under Magu, has preferred criminal charges against such suspects, followed with media blitz. After all, the reason that the Hon Just Ofili Ajumogobia is in court facing trial is for her inability to account for her lavish possessions. If an ex policeman is living in a luxurious N40m apartment and cruising in private jets, he should be put on trial in the dock, as he has done to others.

We cannot have such weighty allegations of corrupt enrichment hanging over a man who is to investigate and prosecute others.

Prior to Mr Magu’s appointment, a serious allegation of corruption was made against his predecessor in office, but we have never heard of any effort made by the EFCC since Magu took over, on that case.

Quite apart from all the above, the utterances of Magu, in relation to presumption of guilt of suspects, are rather uncouth, reckless and unfit for a public officer of his ranking.

Generally, anti corruption agencies require leaders with sound knowledge of law and due process. The tenure of Mr Magu as acting chairman of efcc has been marked with too much controversies, such that it may be necessary to relieve him of such conflicts. Having worked with the efcc in the past, was tried and removed and then brought back in very controversial circumstances, surely it stands to reason that his leadership as substantive chairman, may throw the agency deeper into controversies.

Now I’ve read some opinions suggesting that Mr Magu will remain in acting capacity, despite his rejection by the senate. Once the president has presented a candidate to the senate for confirmation and the candidate has been rejected, such a candidate cannot function in office in acting capacity again, as that would give the impression that Magu was picked for a hatchet job. Also, the Efcc is too sensitive to be headed by a rejected candidate.

It would mean simply that the operations of the EFCC have become illegal, after December 14, when the senate rejected Magu.

It can no longer file charges in court or indeed arrest any citizen.

This should be avoided and I urge the President to present another candidate to the senate for confirmation.

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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Donald Trump Projected To Occupy White House, Congratulated By Nigerian President

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President Trump Signs Executive Order In Oval Office Of The White House

There is an indication that the former President of the United States of America, Donald Trump may become the 47th President of the US.

Trump became more confident in his political comeback in American history after securing his third battleground victory on Tuesday evening by clinching Pennsylvania, bringing him closer to a White House win.

The 78 presidential candidates of the Republican Party already won 266 of the 270 Electoral College votes needed to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris of the Democrat Party.

Trump reversed his 2020 losses in the crucial states of Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — running up big margins among his white rural and working-class base while making significant inroads among ethnic minorities.

Addressing supporters in Florida, Trump claimed victory, saying his performance is unprecedented in the history of the country.

He promised to help the US to heal, stressing that the country needs help very badly.

He also assured citizens of fixing critical infrastructure and other necessary areas of the country.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday extended his congratulations to Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.

Tinubu expressed his eagerness to strengthen the ties between Nigeria and the United States amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.

His congratulatory message was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Identifying synergy and cooperation with the US government as a means of fostering economic prosperity, the President of Nigeria noted that the relationship would promote peace, and address global challenges that affect their citizens.

He said Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership.

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EFCC Nabs Ex-Delta Governor, Okowa, For Alleged N1.3trn Fraud

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governor-ifeanyi-okowa-of-delta-state

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

Sources with the EFCC revealed that Okowa visited the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday before he was subsequently detained by officials.

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

It was gathered that Okowa was at the Port Harcourt office of the Commission following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him.

The former governor was said to have been apprehended no sooner than he arrived at the anti-graft office.

Okowa was also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.

Sources said the former governor reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project.

The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

They noted that investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State.

Okowa was the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in the 2023 election.

He was the governor of Delta State from 2015 to 2023 and was succeeded by Sheriff Oborevwori, the incumbent Governor.

When contacted, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest but declined further comment on the matter.

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FG Frees Minors Remanded For Protesting Hunger In Nigeria

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Some minors who joined the nationwide #EndBadGovernance in Nigeria have regained their freedom.

Their release followed the striking out of the treason charge against them by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday.

Investors King had reported that the Federal Government through its security agencies arrested and preferred treason allegations against the minors who participated in the August #EndBadGovernance protest.

However, President Bola Tinubu had directed the release of the minors owing to the outrage that greeted their arrest, prosecution and incarceration.

Carrying out the presidential directive when the matter resumed on Tuesday, counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, made an application for discontinuation of the case.

Abubakar, who is the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), premised his application on provisions of Sections 174(1), (b), and (c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

He informed the court that the AGF had officially taken over the case file, saying the Federal Government no longer has interest in the case against the protesters.

The DPPF also applied for the proceeding to be conducted without the presence of the minors in the courtroom, in line with provisions of Section 266 (b) of the ACJA, 2015, and Section 1 of the Child’s Rights Act.

Counsel to the defendants, including Mr Femi Fanala, SAN, did not oppose the application.

To this end, Justice Obiora Egwuatu struck out the charge against the protesters who were minors.

Recall that the judge had last Friday admitted the 114 protesters arraigned by the police to N10 million bail each with two sureties each in like sum.

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