Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
Ibrahim Magu says the war against corruption is already lost with the
current tempo.
The EFCC chief said this at an interactive session with media executives
in Abuja on Wednesday.
“The way we are going we have already failed. I am telling you we have
almost failed. It is almost lost. The battle against corruption is not
only evil, it is a poison,” he said.
However, he disclosed that the commission recovered about N409 billion
between January and August, and that it secured 137 convictions
nationwide within this period.
“Between January and August 30, 2017, the EFCC recovered
N409,270,706,686.75; $69,501,156.67; 231,118.69 Pounds; 610,816.20 Euros;
Dirham 443,400.00 and 70,500.00 Saudi Riyal,” he said.
“Over a month ago, the commission recovered over N329billion from a group
of oil marketers for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.”
Magu also expressed the resolve of the anti-graft agency to remain
unrelenting in the fight against corruption.
“In the area of prosecution of cases in court, we are also making progress
despite the antics of some persons accused of grand corruption to delay
trial,” he said.
He urged the media to see themselves as partners in progress, saying the
EFCC alone cannot win the war against corruption.
“From what we read in the papers these days, it is either somebody is
fighting Magu or Magu is fighting other people,” he said.
“But seriously speaking, instead of fighting ourselves, we should be
united in fighting the common enemy, which is corruption.”
The EFCC chief also said he had no personal grouse with anyone, explaining
that “I am not after anybody and have no issues with anybody. Those who
think they have issues with me will soon discover that I mean no harm”.
“What drives me is the passion to do what is right by ensuring that we
fight corruption to a standstill in this country.”