Probe Panel: Magu Must Be Given Fair Trial, SERAP Tells Buhari

Cat:

Related stories

Tinubu Departs Saint Lucia, Heads to Brazil for BRICS Summit

By Abiola Olawale President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departed Saint Lucia...

2027: Drama, Intrigues as Julius Abure Tells Otti to Quit Labour Party

By Abiola Olawale In a dramatic turn of events, Barrister...

FG Secures $100m for Lagos-Calabar Project from ECOWAS Bank

By Abiola Olawale The Nigerian government has reportedly secured a...

Ex- Arsenal Star Thomas Partey Faces Rape, Sexual Assault Charges in UK

By Abiola Olawale The Metropolitan Police have formally charged former...

Edwin Cortes: Prefers Being A Small Puerto Rican Than Big American

By Owei Lakemfa To be a citizen of the United...

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the EFCC boss, Mr. Ibrahim Magu is afforded his constitutionally guaranteed rights of a fair and transparent trial at the presidential investigative panel probing him.

Expressing concerns over the manner at which he was reportedly arrested and forced to appear before the probe panel at the Aso Villa amidst the denial by the secret police, SERAP said “Magu must either be charged with a recognizable criminal offence or released immediately and allowed to do his job without fear of reprisals.”Probe

The EFCC boss is still being detained in police custody on the orders of a presidential panel probing alleged infractions against him.

The organization worries over reports that Magu’s arrest may be ‘the outcome of power-play’ at the highest levels of government,” quoting Dr. Femi Odekunle, a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC).

In a statement on Tuesday by Deputy Director, SERAP, Mr. Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The reported statement by a member of PACAC seems to suggest that Magu’s arrest may be politically motivated and aim to undermine the independence and freedom of action of the EFCC.

“If true, this would make a mockery of Buhari’s oft-repeated commitment to fight grand corruption and the impunity of perpetrators, which is fuelling widespread and systemic corruption in the country.

“Nigerian authorities cannot continue to keep Magu in detention under suspicious circumstances without bringing any legitimate charges against him in violation of national and international law.”

“Nigerian authorities must support the independence and freedom of action of anti-corruption agencies and institutions if they are to be able to genuinely fight grand corruption, which has for many years turned public service for many into a kind of criminal enterprise,” SERAP said.

On Monday, a member of PACAC, Mr. Femi Odekunle had accused Justice Minister Abubakar Malami of taking advantage of his closeness to the president to lead an “onslaught” against Magu.

“The real information reaching us is that he was only invited to appear before a Panel set up not long ago concerning some alleged memo by Malami, Attorney General and Minister of justice, regarding some alleged malfeasance by Magu, along with nominations for his replacement.

“The alleged originating Malami memo, up to the current “arrest“ seems an outcome of power-play by power blocs in the corridors of power in which Malami appears to be an arrow-head or major agent of a power bloc that is not really interested in, or in support of, Buhari’s anti-corruption fight,” Odekunle said.

'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide's journalism works intersect business, environment, politics and developmental issues. Among a number of local and international publications, his work has appeared in the New York Times. He's a winner of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Award. Currently, the Online Editor at The New Diplomat, Akintomide has produced reports that uniquely spoke to Nigeria's experience on Climate Change issues. When Akintomide is not writing, volunteering or working on a media project, you can find him seeing beautiful sites like the sandy beaches that bedecked the Lagos coastline.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
Tinubu Departs Saint Lucia, Heads to Brazil for BRICS Summit2027: Drama, Intrigues as Julius Abure Tells Otti to Quit Labour PartyFG Secures $100m for Lagos-Calabar Project from ECOWAS BankEx- Arsenal Star Thomas Partey Faces Rape, Sexual Assault Charges in UKEdwin Cortes: Prefers Being A Small Puerto Rican Than Big AmericanJune 12 And The International Pursuit of Justice For Abiola, By Femi FalanaBreaking Down the West’s $146 Billion 2024 Defence Technology InvestmentG7 vs. the World: GDP, Population, and Military StrengthUS drillers cut oil and gas rigs for 10th week in a row, Baker Hughes saysExclusive! Tinubu Tips Late Ajimobi's Wife, Florence, Others for Ambassadorial PostsTinubu Mourns, Pays Tribute to Legendary Super Eagles Goalkeeper Peter RufaiNatasha vs Akpabio: Court Orders Senate President To Recall Senator NatashaHadi Sirika Denies Defection to ADC Coalition Rumors, Reaffirms Loyalty to Buhari, APCChina Snubs U.S. Crude for Third Month, Even as Ethane Trade RestartsHow Super Eagles Icon Peter Rufai passed Away at 61
X whatsapp