Juliana
Francis
The
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu,
yesterday said that he was not partisan to All Progressives Congress (APC) or
any other political party.
This
denial came on the heels of several accusations that Magu had been favouring suspects
belonging to the ruling party, while allegedly witch-hunting those in the
opposition.
Addressing
a crop of journalists and civil society members at the EFCC Ikoyi office, Magu
stated: “Let me state upfront that we’re apolitical at the EFCC. However, the
concern of EFCC is with those who seek to use the political space for money
laundering. We would enforce the provisions of the anti-money laundering law to
the letter, no matter whose ox is gored.
“Some
vested interests are already attacking us for our stand on the side of the
law. Let us remind them that the law is no respecter of persons. But,
we also know that we will be fooling one another if we think that the fight
against corruption and economic and financial crimes will be a tea affair. It
has never been, and it will never be! The reason, you will agree with me,
is simply that corruption will always fight back. In all of these, the
EFCC is not engaging in a witch hunt; it is a not a tool in the hands of
anyone, government or individual, either. If your hands are clean, you can go to
bed with your two eyes closed.”
According
to him, whoever was found wanting, no matter his or her political leanings,
would face the law.
This was even as he revealed that the
EFCC recorded 246 court convictions in the last 11 months, arguing that the Commission
was winning in the war against corruption.
His words: “The most recent of such final
forfeiture, through the efforts of the commission to the Federal government
last month, was the N1.9 billion from Heritage Bank. No doubt, the introduction of special courts
to try persons for corruption cases has been a blessing to anti-graft agencies.
No more unnecessary delay in trial and dispensation of justice.”
Magu,
who said that corruption has become hydra-headed problem, stressed that the
fight for the soul of Nigeria was between the patriotic and the corrupt, the
keepers and the looters of Nigeria’s common patrimony.
Speaking on the forthcoming 2019 elections, Magu
said that everyone should rise against vote buying. He urged Nigerians to vote
in credible leaders; leaders they can hold accountable, who will allow the rule
of law to run its course.
He added: “Voters’
inducement portends a grave danger to our fledgling democracy. This shameful
act is another manifestation of corruption. The monetization of the electoral
process must be frowned on because it can impact negatively on the future of
the country.”
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