Ibrahim Magu: Another Student Of History On The Failing Path

The current EFCC helmsman, Ibrahim Magu has become popular in the anticorruption war. But may I shock you that this young man has failed to understand that integrity, impartiality and, sincerity are the major tools in winning the war against corruption.

Aliens to Nigerian politicians, as well as their counterparts in some other African countries, are these attributes, and therefore it is cumbersome for any government to win this anticorruption battle. This is not far from the fact as 95% of their campaign funds are usually from the public treasury. So how can a man supported and promoted by commonwealth robbers to attain the highest political office in the land, fight corruption appropriately if we are not chasing shadow?

To be candid, Magu is trending the same path with the first Chairman of EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu. Ribadu was used by the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo to castrate his political enemies under the disguise of anti-graft war. The records are there for all to see. Here is the testimony of Nuhu Ribadu after his tenure: “there are worse people than James Ibori in Nigeria. I think probably, James was not the smartest one among them. There are some crooks worse than James, I still see them. Some of them are even been celebrated right now in the country". http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/144636-thieves-worse-ibori-walking-free-nigeria-nuhu-ribadu-2.html

Let me intimate you with recent assertion of the founder of EFCC, Olusegun Obasanjo, “EFCC is a toothless bulldog…” http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/03/efcc-is-a-toothless-bulldog-obasanjo/

Without mincing words, the above assertions have said it all. Ribadu was only partially better than Magu in his time as the former was fighting within his principal’s party while the latter is persecuting majorly political opponents on other side. I will advise Magu to ask Ribadu why he fled Nigeria at the inception of Musa Yar’adua.

What Magu and his praise singers are failing to understand is that every regime has an expiry date and no principal can rule forever. All injustice and impartiality shall be revisited and there will not be room to accommodate the piper. If fighting corruption is by playing tunes of the man paying the piper, then time will tell.

Please don’t misconstrue my view, we must get rid of corruption but not the way we are going about it. Institutions must be independent, holistic and professional in their approaches. A situation where any perceived political enemy is guilty and incarcerated before trial is not a serious fight. According to Coretta Scott King that, “Freedom and justice cannot be parceled out in pieces to suit political convenience. I don’t believe you can stand for freedom for group of people and deny it to others.”

Therefore, Magu should retrace his steps and find out how the institution under him can be relieved of interference from her paymaster. If you are facing ex-governors, face all, if it is the campaign funds, face all political parties and stop being a crusader of character assassination.

I will leave Magu to his conscience with these words of elders; Jonathan Sack says "true freedom requires the rule of law and justice, and a judicial system in which the rights of some are not secured by denial of rights to others". While Malcolm X says, "you are not to be so blind with patriotism, that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it"

Ifedayo Obi,
(Lead Partner, Good Governance Advocates)
You can follow the author on twitter @IfedayoObi