We have failed in war against corruption – Magu

The acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, says the fight against corruption is already lost with the present momentum.

Magu, who made this statement to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, said with the situation of things, the battle against corruption is lost.

“The way we are going we have already failed. I am telling you we have almost failed. It is almost lost. The battle against corruption is not only evil, it is a poison,” he said.‎

The EFCC boss said N409, 270, 706,686.75; $69, 501,156.67; £231,118.69; €610,816.20; 443,400.00 dirham and 70, 500 Saudi riyal were recovered between January to August 2017, thereby making a sum of N434, 745, 578,118. 39 in naira.

He noted that the over N7.6bn recovered from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke; and the N329bn which was returned by a number of major oil marketers in the country, formed a bulk of the total amount recovered.

He also disclosed that the commission has recorded 137 convictions in the country within this period.

Magu also expressed that the commission is working assiduously to rid corruption.

“In the area of prosecution of cases in court, we are also making progress despite the antics of some persons accused of grand corruption to delay trial,” he said.

He urged the media to see themselves as partners in fighting the menace, saying the EFCC alone cannot win the war against corruption.

“From what we read in the papers these days, it is either somebody is fighting Magu or Magu is fighting other people,” he said.

“But seriously speaking, instead of fighting ourselves, we should be united in fighting the common enemy, which is corruption.”

Magu also said he is not at loggerheads with anyone, he said, “I am not after anybody and have no issues with anybody. Those who think they have issues with me will soon discover that I mean no harm”.

“What drives me is the passion to do what is right by ensuring that we fight corruption to a standstill in this country.”