– Forces seek termination of tenure Nov. 11
– Agency recovers N939b in four years
AN intense battle has ensued over Ibrahim Magu’s tenure as
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC).
A group of politicians and others affected by the aggressive
anti-graft drive of the acting EFCC Chairman, are working for the
termination of his tenure on November 11.
Magu was appointed on November 11, 2015 by President Muhammadu
Buhari but the eighth Senate declined to clear him. He has been
working in acting capacity since then.
Under him, the EFCC has recovered about N939.51billion in four
years, according to a document obtained on the activities of the
anti-graft agency.
About 1,636 convictions were also secured within the same
period.
The development has brought cash recovery by the agency between
2009 and 2019 to N1.28 trillion.
Magu’s four-year acting tenure has been dotted with activities,
including high-profile prosecution and convictions of two former
governors, Joshua Dariye (Plateau) and Jolly Nyame (Taraba).
The fact-sheet reads in part: “Total cash recovery in naira
reached N1.28 trillion between 2009 – 2019 (August), out of which
N939.51 billion or 73 per cent was recovered between 2015 and 2019
(August).
“The recoveries (Naira equivalent) in the last four years under
Magu are: N33,180,830.790(2015); N170, 276,862,880(2016);
N473,065,195.970(2017); N216,455,497.764(2018); and N46,534,536.954
(as at August 2019).
“In terms of the United States dollars, the EFCC made the
following recoveries in the last four years: $42,917,205(2015);
$69,142,551(2016); $142,505,121(2017); $47,290,174(2018); and
$13,458,041.
“Others cash in pounds included £147,100(2015); £44,785 (2016);
£294,852 (2017); £873, 278 (2018); and £4,644,493 (So far in
2019).
“For the recoveries in Euro since 2015, the breakdown reads,
€832,237(2015); €56,470 (2016); €7,247,364 (2017); €298,055(2018);
and €53,025 (2019).
“It is instructive to state that the EFCC also recorded landmark
achievements between January and September, 2019. For example, the
commission recovered N63.73billion, $14.04million, £4.65million,
€53,325, 2,800 Yen, 294,950 Riyal, 15,200 CAD$ and 36,000 CFA.”
The document also indicated that the EFCC “secured 1,636
convictions in four years including 2015(103); 2016(195);
2017(190);
2018(314); and 2019(834) as at September.
“The EFCC’s recoveries are the highest recorded by any
anti-graft agency ever in the history of Nigeria’s war against
corruption.
“About 407mansions were seized, out of which 126 have been
finally forfeited while 281 are under interim forfeiture. Nine gas
stations were seized and placed under interim forfeiture. Parcels
of land seized sums up to 98, out of which 56 are under interim
forfeiture, while 42 have been forfeited finally to the federal
government.
“About 95 per cent of all recoveries in Nigeria is through the
EFCC, following court orders, which granted interim or final
forfeiture of looted funds and illegally acquired properties.
“The EFCC, in collaboration with agencies of government such as
the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, the Federal
Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, and the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation, NNPC, in the last three years, is actively helping to
recover otherwise toxic assets and tax liabilities. Funds worth
over ¦ 35billion were recovered on behalf of the FIRS, over ¦
4billion recovered for AMCON and over¦ 328billion recovered for
NNPC in Kano State, North- West Nigeria.”
Ahead of November 11, 2019 when Magu ought to statutorily clock
four years in office, the battle over his substantive status has
become intense.
It was learnt that some forces are waiting for the midnight of
November 11 to raise issues bordering on EFCC Establishment Act
2004.
Investigation revealed that there are about seven forces or
groups against Magu’s confirmation.
They are some former and serving governors across parties; PDP
and all its former political office holders either on trial or
under investigation; some serving and retired military and security
officers; some of those who are already working on 2023 project;
those who are desperate to demystify Magu; some elements in EFCC
and influential lawyers in the country.
In the last four years, Magu has only enjoyed tremendous
confidence and support of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo.
Magu twice survived plots to send him to the National Institute
for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS) in order to ease him out
of the EFCC.
He also escaped another attempt to implicate him in a subversive
plot against the government of President Buhari.
It was gathered that Magu’s saving grace was that when the key
suspect in the subversion plot was brought out of detention
facility, he did not even recognise Magu as he had never met
him.
The latest move against Magu is to wait for November 11 to ask
him to step aside until the President takes a final decision on his
nomination.
It was learnt that a former chairman of the Nigerian Governors
Forum (NGF) and ex-Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum are in the
forefront of the latest bid to stop Magu’s fresh nomination by the
President.
But, counter groups, APC stalwarts, some legal giants and some
highly-placed Nigerians have, however, opted for the retention of
Magu, whose performance they rate very high.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Contrary to
expectations of a smooth sail, the battle for Magu’s confirmation
is still on.
“There is no doubt that Magu has redefined the anti-corruption
war with huge recoveries from those who looted the treasury. His
spectacular achievements accounted for the success story of
Buhari’s war against graft.
“But, he ended up stepping on many toes, especially the bigwigs
in the society who are desperate to stop his confirmation. A stern
officer, Magu does not bow to political pressure and he treats all
suspects with the same yardstick.
“Now that he is about to clock four years in office, these
bigwigs who wield political clout are saying this is pay-back time.
About seven forces are plotting against the re-nomination of the
EFCC chairman.
“The reality is that former and serving governors, ex-ministers,
ex- political office holders on trial, especially those in the
opposition in PDP, and some elements in APC have drawn the battle
line with the EFCC chairman because they detest Buhari’s
anti-corruption war.
“Even, some EFCC officials are meeting with politicians against
Magu because of his strict anti-corruption stance.
“What is delaying his renomination is sheer politics at the
top.
A governor, who spoke in confidence, said: “Many of our
colleagues do not want Magu because of his rigidity. He does not
listen to anybody and once he begins a case, he does not consider
all dimensions or perspectives to allegations.
“He is no doubt good, but he should always give suspects the
benefit of the doubt. He needs to realise that he is operating in a
political environment.
“Now, he needs to lobby politicians in power and in the National
Assembly to be nominated again and get confirmed. His experience
with the last 8th Senate will suffice.
“As for me, I have nothing against him and I will do my best to
ensure his re-nomination.”
Some political office holder, interest groups, lawyers, NGOs are
pushing for his retention based on merit.
It was gathered that an influential Northern governor is leading
the lobbying group for Magu among power brokers and APC
stakeholders.
A chieftain of the APC said: “Magu’s performance is the hallmark
of our achievements in office. He needs a second chance in office.
Some of us are sticking out our neck for Magu because he has done
well.
“It is normal for those in the opposition to plot against Magu
because he exposed their 16 years of waste. We know they will
jubilate if Magu is dropped by the President.
“We are backing the reappointment of Magu. We appeal to the
President to ignore any protest against Magu.”
As at press time, there was no signal on where the President
headed on the fate of Magu.
“I think in the next few days, the President will take a
decision in line with his constitutional responsibility,” a
Presidency source added.
Sections 2 and 3 of the EFCC Act read: “The Chairman and members
of the Commission other than ex-officio members shall be appointed
by the President subject to the confirmation of the Senate.
“The Commission may make standing orders regulating its
proceeding or those of any of its committees.
“The Chairman and members of the Commission other than
ex-officio members, shall hold office for a period of four years
and may be re-appointed for a further term of four years and no
more.
“A member of the Commission may at any time be removed by the
President for inability to discharge the functions of his office
(whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause)
or for misconduct or if the President is satisfied that it is not
in the interest of the Commission or the interest of the public
that the member should continue in office.”
A Legal Practitioner and Consultant Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George
(SAN) said: “Ibrahim Magu has performed excellently as Chairman of
the EFCC. He is fearless, courageous and patriotic. He has left
indelible footprints on the sands of time.
“His enigmatic style of leadership has repositioned the EFCC as
a strong institution. He deserves to be reappointed for another
term. The new Senate should have no difficulty in confirming his
appointment.”
A Constitutional lawyer and a member of Honourable Society of
Lincolns Inn, London, Barr. Daniel Bwala said: “He did very well.
He has lived up to expectations and recorded landmark achievements
that will stand the test of time.”
HIGHLIGHTS OF RECOVERY
Convictions in four years (1, 636 )
2015 (103)
2016 (195)
2017 (190)
2018 (314);
2019 (834) as at September
RECOVERIES IN NAIRA
N33,180,830.790(2015)
N170,276,862,880(2016)
N473,065,195.970(2017)
N216,455,497.764(2018)
and N46,534,536.954 (as at August 2019).
RECOVERIES IN USD($)
$42,917,205(2015); $69,142,551(2016);
$142,505,121(2017); $47,290,174(2018);
and $13,458,041.
RECOVERIES IN POUNDS (£)
£147,100(2015); £44,785(2016);
£294,852(2017); £873, 278 (2018);
and £4,644,493(So far in 2019).
RECOVERIES IN EURO
€832,237(2015);
€56,470(2016);
€7,247,364(2017);
€298,055(2018);
and €53,025(2019)