₦airaland Forum

Let me start by declaring very emphatically that it is in the Best Interest of Nigeria that Ibrahim Magu not only leads the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as Chairman but should last longer in office than each of his 3 Predecessors; principally because he is most prepared, willing and ready for the job.

Regardless of the Senate’s failure to confirm him this far, Magu enjoys a very favorable performance rating at home and abroad, fueled essentially by clear signs that he understands the job and expectations of Nigerians and a President Buhari whose Business in Politics is, to use Democracy, to sanitize and reinvent Nigeria.

Working with a Template designed to yield quick, accurate and fascinating results with no need for Mr. President’s shadow or promptings and completely difficult to Predict, EFCC seems also to be confirming to the world that a very important Institution can only deliver under the Right Leadership.

Unlike some of his Predecessors, Magu has longer and broader Institutional Capacity developed overtime specifically, to run a better Organization, deliver maximal results and positively impact a nation heavily challenged on multiple fronts by excesses of decades of Corruption aided decadence, credit must also be given to Nuhu Ribadu- Pioneer Chairman of EFCC who created such enabling environment that moulded people like Magu.
This is governance-wise very instructive because President Shehu Shagari’s Economic Stabilization Program (Austerity Measures in the Second Republic), Military President General Ibrahim Babangida’s Structural Adjustment Program (SAP), General Sani Abacha’s vitiated vision 2010, General Abdul Salami Abubakar’s hurried hand over Power of Power to Civilians, General Olusegun Obasanjo’s Spurious Economic Reforms, President Umaru Musa Ya’adua’s dry 7 Point Agenda and President Goodluck Jonathan’s Delusionary Transformation Agenda, neither Understood Corruption as a Powerful obstacle to Development in Nigeria nor its consequences as the major source of misery and poverty of the people.

From this background its very agonizing to see how distant away majority of Senators are from the nation’s current realities. The smokescreen presented during the last Magu confirmation hearing by the Senatee where the Senators refused to clear Magu based on an SSS Security Report holds no water because it is fundamentally flawed ab-initio. One of the pillars of fair hearing and natural justice "nemo judex in causa sua" ie you cannot be a judge in your own case was violated. More than 20 Senators all of whom participated in the confirmation hearing are under investigation by EFCC and you expect Magu to be confirmed.
Though the Presidential Advisory Council on Anti-Corruption Campaign has since recommended that President Buhari keeps Magu in the job in acting Capacity preparatory to another attempt at the appropriate time, many other Commentators, who understand the domestic and diplomatic implications of dumping Magu out of EFCC Chairmanship at this particular point in time, prescribe deeper consultations with the Legislative Arm, on the matter to reach a final rapprochement.
The singular reason the International Community Substantially backed the emergence of the Buhari Presidency in the 2015 General Election and still stands solidly with him till date, is the Integrity of the Candidate and his tripodal campaign promises to:

a. End the Insurgency in the north-east.

b. Fight corruption to a stand-still; and

c. Diversify the Nigerian Economy from oil.

Fortunately, these are some of the hottest issues on the Global Agenda as Mr Antonio Gueteres, former Portuguese Prime Minster and now Secretary General settles down at the United Nations with some leading Democracies battling Rising Right Wing Tendencies in America and Western Europe.

Because the Civil War Veteran General Buhari mostly understands Governance from the perspectives of peace, Security and Political Stability, he spent quality time after winning the Election and taking Office, to undertake a tasking forensic search far and wide, for the kind of chairman needed to call the shots this time at the EFCC. This Strategic Assignment made difficult by the scarcity of qualified Candidates around, however ended when Mr. President found Ibrahim Magu, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and Forensic Accountant from Maiduguri in Borno State and appointed him on November 9, 2015 to get cracking.
So far, he has proved his mettle; securing over 200 convictions including a former State Governor, recovering Billions in various currencies from Treasury Looters, and currently prosecuting about a third of the 109 member Senate. Furthermore, other throngs of Suspects in and outside Government but predominantly former Public Officers are now Keeping regular dates in courts across the country because of EFCC.
His style has been simply dumbfounding. Magu’s greatest weapon is surprise and he has so masterfully applied it, to nab even millions of dollars without owners.

In the last Quarter Century, Global efforts are mitigating and fighting Corruption from the creation of Transparency International as a Watch Dog, to the total Banking and Financial Reforms in Switzerland and other places, have helped very significantly to make Democracy sustainable especially in Africa.
To move it from this Sustainability to an era of healthy Growth, Countries with Systemic Corruption like ours, badly need fearless, intelligent and silent Operatives like Magu, to be in charge of the Anti-Corruption Machine, if progress must be made Constructively, Comprehensively and Convincingly.
Unlike the Senate’s Conclusion that Magu is rejected because he has “failed the test”; when actually he has in a very short time, proved his mettle at home and abroad, it is popular opinion for now that Magu is the Best for the job.
While his approval rating locally and internationally keeps soaring, only vicious confusionists would disagree with Professor Itse Sagay whose Presidential Advisory Council on Anti-Corruption Campaign has concluded, “We consider the Decision (of the Senate) as extremely perverse, negative, not based on merit and a sort of vendetta.
As a Lawyer of more than 30 years standing and a Researcher on Democratic Governance in Africa and Consultant on Strategic Development with a bold eye on Public Sector Optimization and Process Management, it is my candid opinion (shared by most other Compatriots) that the most Progressive direction to proceed is for Mr. President, to keep Magu in the Post. Reasons are:

1. Magu’s mortal sin is that he made no move to “Lobby” Members of the Senate and when a window was opened for it during the confirmation hearing he kept his distance.

2. Differing from some of his Predecessors who took their Appointments to be Political, Magu has accepted the opportunity, as a National Call to Professional Duty, to contribute to the processes of Nigeria’s indispensable rebirth.

3. Such retention, will preserve the confidence, trust and growing support of our international friends and Development Partners in the Government to serve the People of Nigeria better.

4. It will also reassure Nigerians that the many difficulties in the land created mostly by Corruption notwithstanding, genuine efforts to overwhelm it and optimally improve the fortunes of our people through drastic reduction in opportunities for sharp practices under a trusted EFCC leadership, remains a fundamental target of the Buhari Administration.

5. To ice the cake, this Presidential move will project EFCC and its globally endorsed Leadership as a Role Model for other Critical National Institutions, to copy and excel in the delivery of their respective mandates. In addition, PMB should be in charge and should be seen to be in charge because his civility is being misunderstood in some quarters for either weakness or lack of ideas.



Mohammed Betara Aliyu ESQ

Hello all
I am new to this ptaform and want to thank the mod for starting it.
I got the WFP test mail for IT/TC Operations Coordinator SCOPE Officer, NOB level – Maiduguri and TC Operations SCOPE Officer, NOA level – Maiduguri. I did both tests and was interviewed for the TC Operations SCOPE Officer, NOA level – Maiduguri position on september 30th via skype. The interview was ok (questions on TCP/UPD, asset management etc ) and they said they will get back to me but am yet to get any response so does that mean I did not make it for the position was interviewed for? or should i still be hopeful.
Thanks house