Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has expressed
“concerns about reports that the apparently arbitrary arrest of the
acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
Ibrahim Magu, maybe ‘the outcome of power-play’ at the highest levels of
government.”
Mr Magu is reportedly still being detained in police custody on the
orders of a presidential panel probing alleged infractions against him.
A member of the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption
(PACAC) has reportedly stated that Magu’s arrest may be due to “an
outcome of power-play by power blocs in the corridors of power that is
not really interested in, or in support of, President Muhammadu Buhari’s
anti-corruption fight.”
In a statement today by SERAP deputy director 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.”
The statement, read in part: “SERAP urges the authorities to afford Magu
his constitutionally and internationally guaranteed fair trial rights.
Magu must either be charged with a recognizable criminal offence or
released immediately and allowed to do his job without fear of
reprisals.”
“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.”
“Nigerian authorities should focus on addressing the impact of
corruption such as political violence, and denial of access for millions
of Nigerians to even the most basic health and education services, as
well as other patterns of human rights violations.”
“Improving the independence of anti-corruption agencies and institutions
is the most promising way to make tangible progress in the fight against
corruption now and in the near future.”
“Article 9(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
to which Nigeria is a state party guarantee to everyone the right to
liberty and security of person, and that no one should be subjected to
arbitrary arrest or detention.”
“Similarly, Section 35(1) of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as
amended) guarantees to every person the right to personal liberty and
that no person should be arbitrarily deprived of such liberty.”