Anti-Corruption: CSO Lauds Buhari, Berates Detractors Against Magu’s Investigation
POLITICS DIGEST– Civil Society Organization, Citizens Voice Against Corruption, CIVAC, has described as bold, the recent move by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate corrupt practices within Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption agencies, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
In a statement jointly signed Wednesday by Abdulrazak Alkali and Princewill Okorie of the Organization for Community CIVC Engagement, OCCEN and Association for Public Policy Analysis, APPA, respectively, the organization noted that the constitution of the Justice Ayo Salami panel to probe corruption allegations leveled against the Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu has proved many doubters wrong and has cemented the president’s resolve to fight corruption even if it involves the so-called one of its own.
While calling on security authorities to ensure the safety of Justice Ayo Salami and other Panel Members, the group said it is not unaware of the campaign of Columny by detractors to smear the name of the Honourable Justice and that of the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
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“The selection of Justice Ayo Salami to head the investigation panel has been a masterstroke from the president, considering his incorruptible and impeccable character. The 2011 – 2013 face-off between Justice Salami and the then Federal Government only help bring his integrity and credibility to the limelight. Evidenced by how he stood his ground and refused to compromise on his moral and judicial responsibilities despite pressure and blackmail from the then Executive arm of the government and in conjunction with some corrupt elements within the Judiciary. The entire saga shows the true character of Justice Salami as an anti-corruption champion and somebody that will not be pushed around to the bidding of anybody or be blackmailed to get something out of him.
“Unfortunately, the defendant’s team are crying wolf trying hard to derail the direction of this investigation, and have resorted to smear campaign and media blackmail using proxy groups against people involved in this investigation. These smear campaigns were first targeted towards the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, simply because he is exposing alleged corrupt practices and abuse of office by the suspended EFCC Boss, Ibrahim Magu, to the president and the investigation panel. As the detractors have been unsuccessful in tarnishing the image of the AGF using their spurious allegations, they have now turned in the direction of Justice Salami. The current smear campaigns and media blackmail using multiple outlets quoting fake sitting allowances and emoluments against Justice Salami and the panel members are only aimed at derailing the ongoing investigation and injuring the anti-corruption agenda of the President Buhari led government. Knowing the integrity and incorruptible nature of Justice Salami, the detractors know that Justice Salami Panel will see through to the end of this investigation, and it is very clear that the detractors are afraid of the outcome.” It said.
While calling on Nigerians to disregard baseless allegations against the effort, CIVAC reiterated it’s resolve in strong support of the ongoing Investigation, calling on the Federal Government to provide the Justice Salami panel all the necessary support and resources needed to see this investigation to a logical conclusion.
