Femi Falana (SAN)
HUMAN rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN), has said that embattled Ibrahim Magu could be reinstated to his job as the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), if he is not found guilty of allegations against him.
President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Magu from the position following the investigation against him and the agency’s Director of Operations, Mohammed Umar, was on Wednesday appointed to replace him.
In a statement by the presidency on the suspension, Magu’s suspension became necessary on account of numerous allegations levelled against him which needed to be cleared adding that the action demonstrates President Buhari’s position that nobody is above the law.
Falana, in a reaction while appearing on Channels Television on Wednesday said it was crucial that Magu is investigated and made it clear he is not the first EFCC boss to be probed.
“If he is indicted, the law will have to take its course. There’s no two ways about it. We must be fair.
“All that Ibrahim Magu requires right now is to be given the opportunity, to defend himself against these allegations.
“If he is not proven guilty, the government may give him back his job. Or he himself can say he has been sufficiently embarrassed and leave.
“But this is not the first time that an EFCC chairman has been investigated. And there should not be any reading of political motivations into it.
“It is the prerogative of the government to investigate misconduct”, he said.