Again, Magu speaks on Saraki probe, says EFCC doesn’t pursue those who’re not corrupt

The acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has again commented on the ongoing probe of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, by the anti-graft agency.

Magu, while maintaining that the investigation of Saraki is not based on personal motive, said the commission does not go after those who are not corrupt.

The EFCC had in a statement last week said that Saraki is not above the law and that the investigation of petition against him is for his own good.

“Against the background of the posse of indicting petitions and other evidence available to the EFCC, even Saraki will agree with the Commission that putting him through a legitimate forensic inquiry is the legitimate route to establish his integrity as a public servant,” the EFCC had said.

Speaking on the matter again on Tuesday, Magu told newsmen after receiving Outstanding Leadership in Public Service award, presented to him by the Euro Knowledge Group at the commission’s conference room at its headquarters in Abuja, that the probe of Saraki was not personal and that the commission is after anybody.

He said, ”No it is not personal, we are not after anybody. His case is not different from other individuals that are being investigated.”

Noting that the EFCC under him does not witch-hunt any government official irrespective of their political background, Magu said, “The EFCC does not pursue people who do not have corruption cases. If you are not corrupt, we do not invite you. If you are not a 419 or internet fraudster, we would never invite you.

“We do our homework very well. Sometimes we conduct our investigations for up to six months, we have been investigating people for more than five years.

“Corruption is a national disaster; every Nigerian should fight corruption, whether you are in Nigeria or outside the country. You remove corruption, you eradicate disaster. All these banditries and Boko Haram, the root is corruption,” he said.

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The commission is currently probing Saraki’s alleged corrupt activities during his tenure as Kwara State governor between 2003 and 2011.

Reports weekend had claimed that EFCC sealed off some properties allegedly belonging to Saraki and located in Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

The commission had however denied sealing off properties belonging to Saraki.

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