By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that the Buhari Presidency would be confirming that it is a sanctuary of corruption if it promotes the ousted acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, despite his open indictment for corruption and abuse of office.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said in a statement issued on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, that the alleged promotion would be a direct slap on the sensibilities of Nigerians.
He added that it would be a reward for corruption to award a promotion to a person who had been indicted treasury looting and compromising of high-profile corruption cases for pecuniary gains.
The statement said: “The party describes as outrageous and a direct slap on the sensibilities of Nigerians that the Buhari administration is reportedly planning to promote Magu to Assistant Inspector General of Police, despite being indicted in the alleged stealing of billions of naira recovered by the EFCC as well as cases of abuse of office in the commission by the Justice Ayo Salami Presidential investigation panel.
“It is indeed ludicrous, though true to its proclivity to cover corruption, that the Buhari Presidency, instead of allowing the law to take its course, is rather rewarding corruption by reportedly planning to promote an individual indicted for treasury looting and compromising of high-profile corruption cases for pecuniary gains.
“Our party invites Nigerians to note how the Buhari administration has failed to take disciplinary action against Magu, as recommended by the Salami panel, but seeks to reward him with a promotion in spite of the report by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, which nailed him for alleged diversion of recovered funds and fraudulent sale of assets seized by the EFCC.
“This is in addition to reports by the Department of State Services (DSS) which also stated that Magu had failed “the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption stand of the current government.”
The PDP called on the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Police high command to resist the pressure from the corrupt cabal in the Buhari Presidency to pitch them against Nigerians over Magu but rather commence processes for his prosecution in a court of competent jurisdiction in the interest of justice.
It further counseled President Buhari not to “ease off” the allegations of corruption against Magu but should make the Justice Salami’s report open and if necessary, prosecute the former EFCC Chairman.