…calls for his prosecution or immediate release
A group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, on Tuesday, kicked against alleged continued detention of the embattled acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu.
The group said holding the anti-graft agency’s head in detention violated national and international laws.
SERAP has, therefore, urged the government to charge the EFCC boss “with a recognisable criminal offence” or release him “immediately.”
The group’s position was contained in a statement entitled, “Nigeria: Authorities must treat Magu fairly–SERAP.”
Magu, who was reportedly whisked away by security operatives on Monday, was grilled by a presidential panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari over alleged malfeasance in the EFCC.
SERAP’s statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, “urges the authorities to afford Magu his constitutionally and internationally guaranteed fair trial rights. Magu must either be charged with a recognisable criminal offence or released immediately and allowed to do his job without fear of reprisals.
“Nigerian authorities cannot continue to keep Magu in detention under suspicious circumstances without bringing any legitimate charges against him in violation of national and international law.
“Nigerian authorities must support the independence and freedom of action of anti-corruption agencies and institutions if they are to be able to genuinely fight grand corruption, which has for many years turned public service for many into a kind of criminal enterprise.”