Why corruption thrives in Nigeria –EFCC boss, Magu

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has said that until corruption and corrupt public officials are not celebrated in the country, and Nigerians begin to have a sense of outrage over corruption issues, the issue of graft will continue.

The anti-graft czar lamented that given the revelations so far over what was budgeted for the war against terrorism, but was diverted for personal use, there should be an outrage by Nigerians.

He said this was just one of the many cases of looted funds being investigated by the EFC, and that “There should be a national outrage by now. There is something wrong with our values. Corruption has been celebrated over the years.”

Magu while answering a question on whether the EFCC would enter plea-bargaining with suspects or waive prosecution if stolen funds were returned, the commission could still prosecute suspects, even after they have returned stolen money to the treasury.

Read also: EFCC recovers N381m from ex Air Force Chief, Amosu’s wife

“What matters first and foremost is for everyone involved in the arms deal scam to return the money he or she may have collected. That does not preclude such suspect from facing prosecution.”

He noted that the rat race for wealth among public office holders was one of the major reasons for rampant corruption in the country.

He said: “Political offices in Nigeria are too attractive. This encourages a rat race of sorts. Also, the judiciary, which is the last resort, has allegedly been complicit, making civil servants who have been found guilty of corruption feel confident to poke the law in the face and go scot-free.”

The EFCC chairman said allegations against the commission that its anti-corruption war was politically motivated was proof that corruption was already fighting back.

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