Why Buhari is insisting on Magu as EFCC chairman

By Ifreke Inyang on January 24, 2017   Culled from daily post

A presidency source has confirmed the re-nomination of Ibrahim Magu for chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A letter has been sent to Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to this effect according to The Nation.

It is understood that the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), met with the acting EFCC chairman on Friday and “rough edges were smoothened and a better understanding struck”.

A source, who pleaded not to be named, said: “A letter has been sent to the Senate by the President to renominate Magu. As a matter of fact, the President based his decision on the fact that there was no evidence linking the acting chairman of EFCC to any act of corruption or infractions.

“The President is convinced that Magu has tried his best to fight corruption in a selfless manner and without fear or favour.

“All intra-cabinet challenges which led to the initial security report on Magu were addressed by the President before he left for London.”

Buhari reportedly made up his mind to reappoint Magu based on Malami’s report and opinions of some of his cabinet members, who have been impressed by Magu’s work so far.

Another source said: “Before making up his mind, the President met separately with the AGF, Magu and the DG of the DSS on the allegations contained in the security report sent to the Senate.

“At the session with Magu, the President was convinced that he did not commit any offence.

“On the same day, he gave Magu and the AGF a joint assignment to do for him. This was the first signal that he might be renominated.

“Contrary to what is being insinuated, the President consulted widely with his advisory council against corruption and he upheld the argument of members of PACAC that Magu deserves to come back.

“But some kitchen cabinet members and associates, including Vice President Osinbajo, actually worked day and night to ensure the retention of Magu. Either at breakfast or dinner, they seized every opportunity to impress on the President why Magu should be given a chance.

“Kingibe, who has known Magu’s father for long, stressed that the family has a long history of uprightness and steadfastness.

“These kitchen cabinet members also reconciled Magu and the Director-General of the Department of State Security Services, Mallam Lawan Daura, who clarified that he was never interested in destroying anybody’s career let alone Magu whom he sees as a son.”

It is also understood that the presidency may raise a lobbying team to convince the Senate on Magu, after he was rejected last year.

A source in the Presidency said: “We know the renomination of Magu might still not go down well with some senators but the Presidency will allay their fears.

“This time around, there will be intense legislative lobbying to build confidence in all that Magu will be fair to everybody, irrespective of ethnic, religious or party affiliations.

“We knew what wrong during the first nomination. The Presidency will not allow a repeat of such. All we have to do is to promote the merits behind the choice of Magu.

“As a matter of fact, some senators do not have enough fact-sheet on Magu. We are going to do much work this time around. Some were angry that the Senate was being blackmailed by pro-Magu forces in the Senate and in annoyance they threw away his nomination.

“And for the new Senate Leader, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, this is his first major test to show that he has the confidence of his colleagues.”