Senate Rejected Ibrahim Magu Goes International

MICHAEL AKINOLA

In spite of his rejection by the Senate for the post as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has been invited by two leading world anti-corruption groups.

Magu has been invited by the Transparency International and Global Witness to speak at an international conference on money laundering and assets recovery.

The anti-graft czar is slated to speak on 21 March in London and expected to deliver a paper on the topic, “Give Us Our Money Back – Nigeria’s Fight Against Corruption: A Critical Conversation”.

The invitation from the Global Witness and Transparency International is in recognition of the invaluable role the Magu-led EFCC has played in his more than one year in office in recovery of stolen funds.

According to the spokesperson of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the invitation came coincidentally a few days after the Senate chose to overlook the strides achieved by Magu, and instead refused his re-nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari as the substantive chairman of the EFCC.

The international conference, which is coming on the heels of the 2017 London Anti-Corruption Summit, will focus on the progress of Nigeria’s asset recovery and anti-corruption efforts.

It will also feature a panel discussions for “critical exchange of views” between officials and non-government experts from Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

A few international personalities have been invited along with Magu to participate in the conference.

Among those from Nigeria are Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information; Prof. Itse Sagay, Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC; its secretary, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye and Olanrewaju Suraju of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda.