The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has attacked President Muhammadu Buhari over an alleged plan to promote the former acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.
The opposition party said in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Tuesday in Abuja that promoting Magu despite his open indictment for corruption and abuse of office would be outrageous and a slap on the president.
It said: “It is indeed ludicrous, though true to its proclivity to cover corruption, that the Buhari Presidency, instead of allowing the law to take its course, is rather rewarding corruption by reportedly planning to promote an individual indicted for treasury looting and compromising of high-profile corruption cases for pecuniary gains.
“Our party invites Nigerians to note how the Buhari administration has failed to take disciplinary action against Magu, as recommended by the Salami panel, but seeks to reward him with a promotion in spite of the report by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, which nailed him for alleged diversion of recovered funds and fraudulent sale of assets seized by the EFCC.
“This is in addition to reports by the Department of State Services (DSS) which also stated that Magu had failed “the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption stand of the current government.”
“The reports of planned promotion for Magu has heightened apprehension in the public space that certain top officials in the Buhari Presidency are overburdened with corruption complicity and fears that a docked Magu would expose their atrocities.
“Nigerians could recall how the counsel to Magu, Wahab Shittu, boastfully declared that he had Magu’s instruction to inform the public that “he will be reinstated back to office.”
“The PDP, however, calls on the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Police high command to resist the pressure from the corrupt cabal in the Buhari Presidency to pitch them against Nigerians over Magu but rather commence processes for his prosecution in a court of competent jurisdiction in the interest of justice.”
