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MAGU: AS FRANKINSTEIN MONSTER

Published

5 years ago

July 17, 2020

By Inuwa Bwala

I hardly know Ibrahim Magu, embattled Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, but I have heard a lot about him, long before he came to national cum international limelight. As his kinsman from Borno, I have keenly followed his outing as chairman of the EFCC and I dare say that I was impressed, not until the allegations against him came to the fore.

I have also taken note of developments surrounding his unceremonious removal from office, his ongoing probe and subsequent detention. While others seem to be giving the issue political interpretations, our people are getting embarrassed, that, somebody who seemed to be giving us positive signals in our collective quests to change negative perceptions about us, is today being paraded as a common criminal, wrongly or rightly.

Without prejudice to what may turn out to be the findings of the panel probing him, and the eventual actions the Government may take, I am of the view that, the Government needs to tread more carefully in handling the Magu saga, as it has potentials of setting key players in the Government against each other and possibly of expose bigger and more consequential scandals.

I know as a matter of fact that, in adopting anti-corruption as the mantra of this Government, President Muhammadu Buhari might have probably felt embarrassed as a leader of a Nigeria that was rated as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. In reacting to that summation, our leaders cried wolves but decided to play the ostrich, apparently not ready to remedy the situation. The forces that brought Magu might have been confident that he was better suited for the job of adding value to the fight.

Of course, like every mortal, Magu could not have been a saint in a society that is itself thoroughly corrupt. He had his foible and Achilles heels, hence the mistakes, or better still Magu might have succumbed to the general norm which have tended to evade our values. In dealing with the situation, the President needs to personally intervene, knowing that, the narrative is already to the effect that, Magu is a victim of power play.

One does not have to be interested in the forces at play, that brought Ibrahim Magu to spearhead the fight as Chairman of the EFCC, but Nigerians generally regarded it as a bold move. The Government had been so impressed with Magu, and encouraged him on, even at the risk of branding the EFCC as the Government’s hunt dog against perceived opponents and critics. Even Magu’s critics seem to agree, that the EFCC under him was better than it had ever been.

Making an enemy out of a friend who knows so much about one’s activities, is a potentially very costly blunder. Removing Ibrahim Magu from office in the manner it was carried out and making a mockery of all that he had done could turn Magu into the virtual Frankenstein monster of the Government. Even if it was in presence, having danced with him in the euphoria of EFCC’s conquests, presupposes that there were mutual secrets shared with him.

The Government may be shooting itself in the foot if she pushes Magu too much, compelling him to reveal those secrets. Already, the global perspective focuses on the seeming irony in the Magu saga, to the effect that, the same Government that used Magu to propagate its agenda seem to have suddenly discovered that, the Borno State born Police officer was not after all the saint they had hitherto portrayed him to be.

When a blind man challenges an eyed man to a game of stone throwing, he might have already rested his foot on a ready stone, which he will use in the game. Ibrahim Magu’s bold stance in the face of the allegations against him should send the signal that he is ready for the game of throwing stones. Already, there are emergent issues, which may be tending towards rubbishing Abubakar Malami, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation; Ibrahim Magu’s accuser in chief.

There is a general perception, that, no matter how solid may be Ibrahim Magu’s defenses, the justice Ayo Salami investigative panel is set to nail him. There are strong indications that it may be long before Magu smells freedom: perhaps not in the life of this administration. However long it takes for him to be free, he will eventually speak and when it does, I fear the contents may not be too palatable.

Ibrahim Magu is no doubt a brilliant police officer, with a potentially bright future, making him the fall guy in the political Chess game will be a great disservice to the nation and most uncharitable to his family. Many potentially resourceful professionals have fallen victims of the power play amongst our political leaders, adding Magu to the list is to further deplete our human resources, especially in the crime fighting organ. Just a word of caution…

Inuwa Bwala is a journalist, author and Publisher of National Trail Newspaper.

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El-Rufai Prays for Late Audu Ogbeh, Says He Deserves Al-Jannah Firdaus Despite Being Catholic

Published

2 weeks ago

September 24, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has described the late Chief Audu Ogbeh as a selfless leader who dedicated his life to the service of others, praying that God grants him eternal rest in paradise.

Speaking in a video shared by Symfoni TV, El-Rufai acknowledged that Ogbeh was a Catholic, not a Muslim, but said he would continue to pray that Allah admits him into Al-Jannah Firdaus because “he is deserving of it.”

Holding back tears, the former governor praised Ogbeh as “a good man” who touched many lives and left behind a legacy of service. He also recalled Ogbeh’s achievements as Minister of Agriculture, noting that under his leadership Nigeria ended its heavy reliance on rice imports.

“Before his reforms, Nigeria was spending five million dollars monthly on rice imports, but that figure dropped to zero during his tenure,” El-Rufai said.

He prayed for comfort for Ogbeh’s family and loved ones, adding: “I will keep praying for Audu Ogbeh, a Catholic and not a Muslim, so that Allah would grant him entrance to Al-Jannah Firdaus. What a great man he was.”

Do you want me to make this more emotional and tribute-like (focusing on Ogbeh’s character and legacy), or keep it strictly factual and political?

Featured

Facilitation

Published

2 weeks ago

September 24, 2025

Our Reporter

I join millions of Nigerians in celebrating a man whose life continues to illuminate the path of honour, courage, and patriotism: Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (Rtd.), on the occasion of his 76th birthday. It is not only a moment of personal reflection but a national milestone, as we honour a soldier, statesman, pro-democracy icon, and moral conscience of our nation.

Colonel Umar stands tall among Nigeria’s most principled voices; his name evoking an unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and democratic ideals. In the tumultuous days following the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, when many chose silence or self-preservation, he chose the difficult path of truth. He risked his career, comfort, and personal safety by speaking out in defence of Chief MKO Abiola’s stolen mandate, despite being a senior member of the ruling military council. It was a singular act of bravery that not only inspired a generation but redefined the meaning of loyalty to country over convenience.

As a young civil rights activist in those difficult days, I found in Colonel Umar not just a role model, but a moral compass. He demonstrated to us that true leadership is not merely about wielding power, but standing firm in defence of what is right, even at great personal cost. His resignation from the Nigerian Army at a time when he stood poised for further elevation is perhaps one of the most courageous acts in our political history.

As Governor of Kaduna State today, I draw deep inspiration from his sterling example of inclusive leadership. His tenure as military governor of this great state remains a reference point for fairness, balance, and peacebuilding. In a deeply diverse and, at times, fractured society, he governed with wisdom, compassion, and an unshakeable belief in our shared humanity.

Colonel Umar’s transcendence of ethnic and religious divides has never required a denial of his own identity. Rather, he has drawn strength from it: his noble Fulani lineage, his deep Islamic faith, and his enduring belief that justice is the foundation of peace.

I am proud to stand among those who celebrate him, not only for his past heroism, but for his continued voice of conscience in our national life. I also warmly commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for honouring him with the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), a richly deserved recognition.

Happy 76th birthday, our highly revered Colonel Dangiwa Umar. May your legacy continue to inspire generations to come.

Senator Uba Sani, CON
Governor, Kaduna State

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Natasha; Defamations Charges On Akpabio, Yahaya Bello Suffers Adjournment

Published

2 weeks ago

September 23, 2025

Our Reporter

By Hassan Taiye

For the second time in 24 hours, the trial of the suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan for allegedly defaming the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Adosa Bello suffered an adjournment.

The trial scheduled to kick-start on Tuesday was put off by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja following objections raised by the suspended senator against the competence of the charges.

Natasha predicated her objections on the alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation AGF by filing charges against her at the Federal High Court and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on the same subject matter and same complaints.

When the matter was called, David Kaswe, a lawyer from the Ministry of Justice informed the court of his readiness to open the case against the defendant.

He claimed to have his first witness, a Superintendent of Police, Abdulhafeez Garba in court to testify against the senator.

He requested for permission of the court to call the witness into the witness box.

The request was however opposed by lead counsel to the defendant Mr Ehighioge West-Idahosa SAN on the ground that his client has filed a motion on notice, challenging the competence of the charges and the jurisdiction of the court.

West-Idahosa said that the motion has been served on the Attorney General of the Federation AGF as required by law but that the AGF had not responded.

In the drama that ensued, the federal government lawyer who announced appearance for the AGF Office argued that he ought to have been served personally or be informed on phone on the filing of the motion and requested that Natasha’s claim be rejected.

However, the trial Judge, Justice Chizoba Orji found in the case file that the AGF office was served with the motion but had not responded as required by law.

At this point, the federal government lawyer admitted that the AGF had been out of the country and as such, has not made the motion available to him.

After taking arguments for and against adjournment, Justice Chizoba Orji held that the proper thing was to shift trial to enable AGF respond to the motion in the interest of fair hearing.

The Judge subsequently fixed October 27 for Natasha’s motion to be heard along with the response of the AGF.

About two thousand sympathizers escorted the senator to court thereby giving security agents hectic job to control crowd and ward off security breaches.

Natasha’ was on Thursday, June 19, 2025 docked at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja for allegedly defaming the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Adosa Bello.

She was put on trial by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) on three-count criminal charges bordering on harmful imputations during a television interview.

When the charges were read, she pleaded not guilty to all of them.

Justice Chizoba admitted her to bail in the sum of N50 million and one surety in the like sum in the charge marked CR/297/25 filed on May 15, 2025.

The judge had held that the surety must be an owner of landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

Natasha was, in count one, accused of making harmful imputation which she knew would harm the reputation of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by claiming he plotted, with former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, to kill her.

In count two, she was accused of making a similar harmful imputation knowing that it will harm the reputation of ex-governor Yahaya Bello.

In count three, she was accused of making another imputation, which she knew would harm the reputation of Akpabio by associating him with the death of one Miss Imoren Iniobong.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly has unsealed the office of Senator Natasha, granting her access to the the National Assembly six months after her suspension.