The Initiative for Leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria (ILEWN) in a press briefing, called for the reappointment of the acting chairman of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, saying his re-appointment ‘ll will strengthen anti-corruption fight in Nigeria.

The group in a press addressed Sunday in Abuja by it executive director, Ambassador Agbonkpolor Aironmwanbor Splendour, said Ibrahim Magu’s refusal to bend the rules has made those pushing for his reappointment withdraw their support which further tells a lot about Magu’s performance and should be noted with worthiness.

Adding that his shrewdness towards national assignment given to him by Mr. President should also be applauded by Nigerians and the present government.

“We have witnessed Magu’s level of accountability and transparency demonstrated practically for public view on monies recovered so far and properties seized; for which some have been given to agencies of government as offices which has further reduced government cost. We consider this a great feat in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

”It is against this background that we pass a vote of confidence on the administrative leadership of Ibrahim Magu led EFCC and for his reappointment as substantive Chairman of the commission which will further consolidate on his giant strides in office and even as he remain committed to serving his fatherland,” he said

The group called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reappoint Magu as substantive Chairman of EFCC without delay because he has demonstrated pragmatism, selflessness, and dedication in the discharge of his statutory duties and responsibilities in the fight against corruption in Nigeria’.

‘‘The refusal by the 8th assembly to confirm the appointment of Ibrahim Magu without any concrete reason is due to the fearless nature with which the Acting Chairman is tackling corruption in Nigeria. It has sent quiver to the hearts of those who already have their hands soiled in corruption before coming to the National Assembly which has resulted to their outright refusal to confirm Magu as substantive Chairman of the EFCC. Several of the lawmakers facing financial crime charges in court in which majority of them were former governors who stole from their respective states as governor for 8years are now in the National Assembly fighting Magu’s confirmation because of his firmness and support for Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption stance.

‘‘The continuous challenge by those who want Magu out of office by all means indicates that the acting Chairman has done well in the fight against corruption in Nigeria, not to jettison the obvious facts that Nigeria is winning the war against corruption under the amiable leadership of Ibrahim Magu and as such he should be reappointed to continue the good works which he has started, not to truncate the effort of the present administration in placing Nigeria on the plinth of economic greatness through the assiduous effort of the current Acting Chairman in recovering Nigeria’s stolen funds and properties, for which agencies of government are already benefiting from Magu’s led EFCC. Properties worth billions of naira are been handed over to government agencies who were hitherto not having office spaces. Some of them were using rented apartments as National Headquarter and have now been handed gigantic buildings as office space rather than be in rented buildings. These and more have been made possible by the current Acting Chairman’.

‘‘The agencies of government that have benefited from seized properties are: VALDS office under Ministry of Finance, a unit from the Defence Headquarters, Voice of Nigeria, PINE, and also PTAD. This has drastically helped to reduce the cost of rent for the federal government.

“These and more are records which shows outright performance and has further underscored the need for Magu to be reappointed,” he said

According to Splendour, Ibrahim Magu’s refusal to bend the rules has made those pushing for his reappointment withdraw their support which further tells a lot about Magu’s performance and should be noted with worthiness.

“Aborting this pregnancy which need another four years to deliver will affect a lot of cases that are already been prosecuted in court by Magu’s led administration, which is the grand ploy by those contending EFCC Chairmanship position and has necessitated the grand conspiracy against Magu, to remove him from office in order to stop some of the high profile cases currently being investigated by the EFCC.

”We want to use this medium to call on Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari to ignore the call for the removal of Magu from office by interest groups or persons who just want to satisfy their greed. Magu has performed with practical evidence to show for his work’,” he said.