The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, announced that fresh arrests of influential persons will be forthcoming.
“[There are] more influential Nigerians on the radar of the EFCC and in the coming weeks they will have their day in court and Nigerians will be kept fully abreast of the results of the commission’s investigations,” Mr. Magu stated during a meeting with online and broadcast media practitioners and managers.
The meeting, which took place on Wednesday in Abuja, was intended to elicit support from the media for the fight against corruption, fraud, and economic crimes. Mr. Magu requested that those assembled provide the EFCC with suggestions and advice to aid the commission in its war on graft.
“The EFCC needs you [the media], Nigeria needs your critical support if we are to make any headway in this important campaign against corruption. My pleas for your support is underscored by my understanding that the forces with which we are battling are powerful and some of them may want to use all platforms of media to distract and derail us,” the EFCC chief implored.
Mr. Magu also warned that the media must be resolute in refusing any calls for assistance from the “powers of corruption”. He praised the judiciary branch for providing the EFCC with selected courts where it could try its cases.
During the meeting, Mr. Magu was asked about the perceived bias of the arrests made so far. Many of those currently in EFCC custody are members of the opposition party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The EFCC chairman, however, dismissed the charge of bias.
“Such accusations have come up a lot, but we work with the petitions before us. In fact, I am eager and waiting for something from the other side, but nothing has come so far,” Mr. Magu stated. (Sahara Reporters)
