Magu: Why AGF Malami Should Not Be Distracted From Reforming EFCC – HURIWA

A civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has frowned at attacks against the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, by alleged apologists of the suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.

HURIWA noted that the ongoing purge of the EFCC, as well as the reforms of the entire justice sector, including all of its agencies, should be sustained, hence, the need not to “distract and even disable the Chief Law Officer of the Federation and make a mess of the whole anti-corruption fight.”

The rights group stated this in a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, on Friday.

HURIWA said, “It has come to our notice that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Juatice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), who is the Chief Law Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been the subject of a vicious and sustained attacks in recent times.

“The campaigns, which intensified since AGF urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission; Ibrahim Magu for alleged infractions is being executed by elements close to POWERFUL FORCES backing Ibrahim Magu and these groups hide under compromised Civil Society Organisations and induced media platforms to launch personal attacks against the Chief Law Officer of the Federation,” the statement partly read.

HURIWA maintained that Malami needed full support so as to perpetuate the ongoing reforms, which it said was already imparting positively on the nation.

“Nigerians are not unaware of particularly the following:

• AGF’s contribution in taking over the Sowore case that eventually saw to the release of hitherto detained Sowore and Dasuki
• Decongestion of Nigerian Correctional Centres and release of almost 7,000 inmates
• AGF’s legal acumen in handling suspected Boko Haram members
• Implementation of Criminal Justice Act
• Implementation of National Correctional Service Reform
• Speedy litigation of election matters
• Enhancement of Access to Justice
• AGF’s efforts in making Socio-economic Rights justiciable
• Handling of Apo Six killings
• Contribution in the signing of Executive Orders especially No. 10 on independence of State Legislature and Judiciary
• Coming out with Post Covid-19 Justice Sector plan among others,” it stated.

Hence, HURIWA buttressed that going by feats achieved by the justice ministry under Malami, the EFCC was now being transformed to be an anti-graft agency that is efficiently and transparently carrying out the anti-corruption objective of the current administration.

“We had earlier stated our unambiguous and absolute support for the pragmatic reforms of the EFCC so a robust, much more competent and a professionally respected expert can be appointed to head the EFCC,” it mentioned.

HURIWA, however, explained that it was not against opposing views but noted that there was need to check the motives behind certain expressed views.

The statement further reads: “We urge the President; His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari not be deceived by these vicious attacks on his Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice because those bringing up these allegations are working hard to scuttle the ongoing reformation in the EFCC.”