The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has kicked against alleged plans by the Federal Government to promote the ex-Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu.
The party is reacting to unconfirmed media reports indicating that plans were afoot to promote Magu to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), even though the government has not come out with any official position on the alleged plans.
In a statement on Tuesday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party slammed the federal government for encouraging corrupt practices by public officials.
According to the PDP, the plan to promote Magu was in spite of his alleged open indictment for corruption and abuse of office, by the Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential Investigation Panel.
The party described the move to elevate Magu as outrageous and a direct slap on the sensibilities of Nigerians.
The statement said: “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 reports of planned promotion for Magu have heightened apprehension in the public space that certain top officials in the Buhari Presidency are overburdened with corruption complicity and fear that a docked Magu would expose their atrocities.
“Nigerians could recall how the counsel to Magu, Wahab Shittu, boastfully declared that he has Magu’s instruction to inform the public that he will be reinstated back to office.”
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.
The main opposition party called on the PSC to commence processes for Magu’s prosecution in a court of competent jurisdiction in the interest of justice.
It further called on President Buhari not to “ease off” the allegations of corruption against Magu but should make the Justice Salami report open to the public and if necessary, to prosecute the former EFCC boss.