EFCC Chair, Ibrahim Magu
While speaking during an interview on Channels Television programme, “Question Time”, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, said the refusal of the Nigerian Senate to confirm him is an indication that he is carrying out his duties judiciously.
Recall that the senate had on two different occasions, refused to confirm Magu as the substantive chairman of the commission, citing a report of the Department of State Services (DSS) which indicted him.
“I don’t think it (non-confirmation) has given the public a cause for concern. I think it is a lot of encouragement. The fact that I am not confirmed shows I am working. Really,” Magu said.
“In the anti-corruption environment, if they rush to confirm you, it means you are not doing your work properly.”
When asked why he is the first to have his confirmation delayed for so long, Magu said, “No problem. Maybe the others are happy. Because a number of the people we are investigating are also in the national assembly.
“I am not completely distracted. It is not an issue. Rather, it gives me courage. You wake up in the morning and see some terrible publications about you. Despite all these, we are determined to go ahead.
“I cannot be distracted with those things. Nobody can purchase me, I cannot compromise what I am doing.”
Magu also said he was not in support of the separation of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) from the EFCC, adding that the suspension of the NFIU from Ergmont group is being politicised.
“The best financial intelligent units in the world are the ones that are domiciled in law enforcement agencies,” he said.
“Do you think if they put financial intelligence that is totally independent, do you think the banks will listen to it? They listen to it because of its affinity to the EFCC.”
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