The Prof. Itse Sagay-led Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) has slammed the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) over the ordeal of Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.
Magu was picked up on Monday by Department of State Services (DSS) personnel and whisked before a presidential panel over allegations of corruption and insubordination laid by Malami.
But in a “preliminary reaction” to the controversial incident, a member of PACAC, Prof. Femi Odekunle said that while the committee has yet to meet, it believed that the minister lacks commitment to the anti-graft war of President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement, Odekunle said Malami’s “power bloc” was hell-bent on removing Magu by all means possible.
He said President Buhari must be wary of the power bloc’s “shenanigans” to avoid derailing the war on corruption, one of his cardinal campaign promises.
According to him, Malami’s memo calling for Magu’s removal and the EFCC’s boss’ invitation “seem 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”.
He pointed to Magu’s non-confirmation by the 8th Assembly, which he said was orchestrated by the power bloc and supported by security reports issued by the Department of State Services (DSS).
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“One must take cognisance of the alleged memo referred to earlier i.e by Malami concerning alleged corrupt practices by Magu, along with his own nominations for Magu’s replacement.
“Again, we cannot forget Malami’s demand for certain high profile casefiles from Magu which the latter has been resisting.
“The position of PACAC is that while Magu or any official of whatever status must be nailed if found to be corrupt, the President must be careful not to shoot its anti-corruption fight /modest achievements in the foot.
“He must not forget that the EFCC under Magu has been the administration’s anti-corruption poster-face.
“It may not be contestable that Malami has been exploiting his alleged loyalty and closeness to the President for his personal /power bloc agenda.
“For, to the best of PACAC’s knowledge and observations, Malami has not manifested any genuine commitment to the anti-corruption fight,” Odekunle stated.