Magu: Once upon a time

By Steven Aya l Friday, July 10, 2020

LAGOS, Nigeria – Ibrahim Magu, the embattled suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was once the most dreaded man in the land. His fear or the fear of him is the beginning of wisdom.

Magu on ground or account of the office he occupied was revered. Senators panicked before him. Reps don’t like looking straight into his eyes. Governors fidget in front of him. Ministers trembled at his sight. Service Chiefs squat in his presence. DGs of parastatals shiver at his appearance.

He was a nightmare to many politicians. Some presidential aides standstill or stood still when he clears his throat or sneezes at the entrance of the Villa. In his office, he was the “Almighty” One. He was a small god. He was the EFCC and the EFCC was him.

Magu was the least of individuals in the present government, anyone would have thought would kiss the canvass so soon. No one saw his predicament coming. No one dreamt of his fall, He was so exalted, So assured. He was so important to this government especially in its fight or war against corruption. He was perceived as one of the untouchables.

His fall was a shock to many. It brought mixed feelings and reactions. The news was a huge relief to those whose toes he allegedly stepped on in the course of carrying out his duties or functions. But to those who felt he was performing well, they summed up that CORRUPTION IS FIGHTING BACK hence he was “frustrated” out of office.

But how can corruption be fighting back when he was accused of misconduct and financial irregularities? Experts asked. Those who know allege that the dog may have been eating the bone hung on its neck or kept in its custody. They say there are piles of petitions against the man who works with petitions. They say most of the accusations leveled against him are or were damning. They are or were or will be embarrassing to the presidency.

Here was a man entrusted with one of the most revered jobs or offices in the country. A job dreaded yet wanted by many. Here was a man, few in government say was not qualified for the job. They say he lacked the character, knowledge, wisdom, exposure, experience and temperament to handle the office. Yet, some say, he did a damn good job while his tenure lasted. But his antagonists argue that, his selected victims or targets sold him out. He never went after the real enemies of the state who are tactically looting the treasury.

The leadership of the 8th National Assembly had a running battle with Magu. It refused to endorse his position or office on substantive capacity. It shoved aside his threats and shenanigans. In fact, it demystified him by ensuring he remained on acting capacity even after the 8th Assembly was dissolved until his recent misfortune.

It is believed that the presidency has been keeping an eye on the gatekeeper hence, it did not pressurise, lobby or scheme for the Senate of the 9th Assembly to endorse his appointment on permanent capacity. In fact, the body language of the present leadership of the National Assembly suggests that it is toeing the line, path and footprints of its predecessors. This implies that something is fundamentally wrong with Magu’s appointment from day one.

One thing is however obvious, Magu has played his part. Whether wrong or right, those who appointed him should know better if it was an error to have appointed him or not