Magu, SGF cleared of corruption, Buhari tells Senate

President Muhammadu Buhari has informed the Senate that the Acting Chairman of the Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, have been cleared of corruption charges following an investigation into allegations against them.

Buhari said this in separate letters to the Senate one of which informed the lawmakers that he was re-nominating Magu as Chairman of the EFCC.

In the letters read by Senate President Bukola Saraki, Buhari said Magu and Lawal were cleared of corruption in a report by the Attorney General of the Federation.

President Muhammadu Buhari in the letters to the Senate, urged the lawmakers to confirm Magu as Chairman of the EFCC, while picking holes in Senate’s allegation of corruption and misconduct against the Lawal.

The Senate had on December 15, 2016 rejected Magu’s nomination based on a report by the Department of State Services alleging that his activities made him ineligible for the position.

The Senate had also called for Lawal’s resignation, probe and prosecution over alleged mismanagement of funds meant for the North-East rehabilitation under his watch.

The President, however, faulted the call for Lawal’s resignation, saying he wasn’t given a fair hearing.

Concerning Magu, he said, “I have taken due note of the contents of the aforesaid resolution as it concerns the nominee, particularly the conclusion of the distinguished Senate not to confirm the nomination of Mr. Magu due to a security report on the nominee issued by the Department of State Services and addressed to the Senate via a letter dated 3rd October 2016.

“Upon receipt of this said resolution, I took administrative steps within the executive arm of government to ensure the speedy clarification of issues relying upon by the Senate in arriving at its decision. This steps included a request for the response of the nominee to the allegations contained in the report out of desire to ensure that the credibility of our anti-corruption campaign is not compromised or called to question.” 

He said the investigations showed that Magu was not guilty of the allegations levelled against him.

He added, “It is in the above context you will agree with me that there’s a need to maintain a current momentum and capacity of the EFCC since May 29th, 2015. It is in the above context that I, therefore, request to grace your indulgence of this distinguished Senate to favourably accept my renomination of Ibrahim Magu Mustapha for the position of the EFCC Chairman, having received adequate clarification considering the matter relied upon by the Senate in arriving at its decision.”