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Buba Galadima, a former ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, says the suspension of acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu is a mere propaganda by the president to show he is fighting corruption.
Magu had been grilled at the State House in Aso Villa by Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential Investigative Committee over allegations of corruption, insubordination and abuse of office.
He was alleged to have misappropriated recovered loots by the commission and selling of seized assets to associates as well as refusing to subject himself to the supervision of the office of the attorney-general.
In a statement week ago, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu had said those who view the investigation of Magu as an indication that the President has failed in his fight against corruption have “missed the boat”.
“There are no sacred cows, and for those who think they have a halo over their heads, their days are also numbered,” Shehu added.
But in an interview with The Sun, Galadima claimed that the ongoing investigation of the suspended EFCC boss is just a propaganda, adding that nothing fruitful will come out of it.
“I believe Magu has offended a powerful cabal in Buhari’s administration, and that’s why they decided to remove him,” he said.
“I am not trying to defend Magu, I have never been his admirer but Nigerians should not be deceived that Magu was sacked because of Buhari’s administration’s commitment to the anti-corruption war. Magu is just being made a scapegoat to create the impression that Buhari is fighting corruption.
“Go and mark my words, nothing will come out of Magu’s case. It’s just like they want to entertain us, it is all part of propaganda to create impression that this administration is fighting corruption.”
After 10 days of being grilled by the presidential panel, Magu who was set free, however, said he would not take any legal action against the current government.
Recall the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu had distanced himself from being responsible for the suspended EFCC chairman’s detention at the Force Headquarters, stating that he was being ‘held’ by the Presidency.
A statement by Wahab Shittu, lawyer to Magu partly reads: “Our client takes his current travail with philosophical calmness without bitterness in the belief that no one is above the law, that no matter how big anyone is, the law is bigger. Our client pleads that no publication be attributed to him without clearance from him directly or his counsel on record.
“Our client is not contemplating any legal proceedings against this government that has given him an opportunity to serve and for which he retains uncommon respect and admiration mainly because of the commitment of the administration to the anti-corruption crusade which he shares with passion.”
