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MAGU: AS FRANKINSTEIN MONSTER

Published

6 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.

Featured

WHO: Nigeria Records Zero Ebola Cases After Evacuation of Swiss Couple

Published

12 hours ago

October 26, 2026

Our Reporter

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that Nigeria currently has no active Ebola cases following the evacuation of the country’s index patient and her husband, both Swiss citizens, to Switzerland for further medical care.

Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, disclosed this on Monday in a post on his X handle, stating that the female patient was clinically stable after Nigerian medical personnel successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness.

“Both the patient and her husband are Swiss citizens,” Janabi said.

He commended the Nigerian medical team for stabilising the patient before her evacuation, adding that Switzerland would now take responsibility for her continued treatment and the monitoring of her husband.

“With the evacuation of the patient and her husband, Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases,” he said.

However, Janabi stressed that vigilance remains essential, noting that Nigeria would continue monitoring 52 contacts, while Switzerland would take over the follow-up of the 53rd contact, who is the patient’s husband.

He also praised the Federal Government, health workers, clinicians and emergency responders for their role in managing the case.

Earlier on Monday, Nigeria’s index Ebola patient was evacuated to Switzerland for further treatment.

The 42-year-old woman, who was diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease, was airlifted aboard a medical evacuation aircraft at about 6am from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, confirmed the evacuation, stating that the patient’s husband remained asymptomatic.

“I confirm that, with my approval, earlier this morning, the index case for Nigeria’s first imported Ebola virus disease departed Abuja for Switzerland,” Pate said in a post on X.

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APC BLASTS ATIKU OVER ‘BOLA’ REMARK ABOUT TINUBU

Published

2 weeks ago

October 12, 2026

Our Reporter

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for addressing President Bola Tinubu as “Bola”, accusing the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate of allowing political ambition to undermine his statesmanship.

The APC PCC spokesperson and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, stated this on Monday, arguing that Atiku had failed to demonstrate the decorum expected of a former vice-president and a presidential aspirant.

Atiku has repeatedly referred to the President by his first name rather than his official title. He has also described Tinubu’s administration as a “Yahoo Yahoo” government, accused it of dishonesty and questioned the President’s educational background.

Reacting to the controversy, Alake said the APC was concerned about what it considered disrespect for the office of the President, adding that Atiku’s conduct fell short of the standards expected of someone seeking the nation’s highest office.

“Since Alhaji Atiku lost the last presidential election, he has allowed political animosity and uncontrollable ambition to rob him of the statesmanship that should guide his public conduct and utterances,” Alake said.

He further accused the former vice-president of setting a poor example for younger politicians through his public comments and political conduct.

Despite its criticism, the APC campaign council urged its leaders, spokespersons, members and support groups to continue treating Atiku with the respect due to a former vice-president and presidential candidate.

Alake said the party would not mirror what it described as Atiku’s approach to political engagement, insisting that its campaign would focus on issues affecting Nigerians, the party’s programmes and Tinubu’s record in office.

According to him, the APC intends to highlight the administration’s efforts to move the country from economic reforms to prosperity as Tinubu seeks a second term.

The council maintained that its campaign would prioritise policy discussions and the President’s achievements rather than personal exchanges with political opponents.

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

Published

1 year 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?