My removal was a case of corruption fighting back – Ex-EFCC chair, Magu

A former acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, says his removal was a result of corruption fighting back.

He said this at an award ceremony held in his honour by the Northern Female Students Association on Sunday in Abuja.

“I am a victim of corruption fighting back, but I am happy that recent events are revealing the truth to Nigerians,’’ he said.

Represented by his son, Mohammad-Saeed Ibrahim-Magu, the former EFCC boss thanked the association for bestowing upon him the accolade of “achiever per excellence” and expressed his happiness at receiving the honour.

Magu was said to have been picked for the prize because of his commitment to national service, according to Aisha Nasir, spokesperson for the union.

“The anti-corruption fight in Nigeria is a binding moral duty that requires seeing beyond political affiliations or preferences,” she said.

“Love him or hate him, Ibrahim Magu took the anti-corruption fight to uncharted levels that many people thought could never be attained.

“Magu attracted continental and global commendations for tackling what had been described as the leading factor hindering growth and development of African nations and economies.”

In July 2020, when Magu was still at the helm of affairs in the EFCC, he was arrested, detained, and suspended as the acting chairman of the anti-graft agency — after he appeared before a panel probing allegations of gross misconduct

The panel, led by Ayo Salami, a former judge, subsequently recommended his removal “for failing to properly account for N431,000,000.00 security votes/information fund released to the office of the Executive Chairman of EFCC between November 2015 and May 2020.”

In August 2022, the panel indicted him for allegedly killing high-profile cases while chasing after internet fraudsters, popularly known as “Yahoo Boys”.

The panel also accused him of abandoning 14 procurement fraud cases involving N118 billion and $309 million.

He was also said to have failed to remit another N48 billion loot.