The Police Service Commission (PSC) plans to promote disgraced former anti-graft acting boss, Ibrahim Magu to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) is already raising dust as Nigerians are saying it is indication that the ruling All Progressives Congress is not sincere on its fight against corruption.
may have concluded plans to promote a former acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, to Assistant Inspector-General of Police.
Magu, a Commissioner of Police, and ex-acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) tendered his pre-retirement notice and will officially retire from the force on May 5.
It was however gathered that the PSC Standing Committee has recommended him for elevation to the enviable post of AIG, a development that may set the commission on a collision course with the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
It was further learnt that the decision to promote Magu, the most senior Commissioner of Police, followed the recommendation of the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba.
Magu’s ordeal began in July 2020 when he was suspended from office as acting EFCC chairman by the President Muhammadu Buhari over Malami’s allegations against him and he consequently appeared before a presidential panel headed by retired Justice Ayo Salami set up to probe him for alleged graft and insubordination.
The PSC had last July declined to promote Magu during the promotion of 24 CPs and other officers.
The PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani had stated that “the commission declined the promotion of Magu pending clearance from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and the Office of the Inspector- General of Police,”
The commissioner representing the media in the PSC, Mr Austin Braimoh, had also said the ex-EFCC boss may not get his retirement benefits until he is cleared of the allegations levelled against him by the AGF.
However a top officer of the commission who spoke under anonymity said there was no pending disciplinary case against Magu before the commission.
“Though the government set up a panel, they didn’t even inform the commission. And Magu has been the most senior commissioner of police for a very long time and we have been stepping down his promotion. The AGF should have written to the commission about the case against him.
“The IG has been sending his name for promotion, so why shouldn’t we promote him? Already, the standing committee of the commission has already recommended him for promotion to AIG. Though he is about to retire from service, he can still be promoted after retirement,” the source said.
When asked about the planned promotion, Braimoh said he was not aware of the latest decision regarding Magu’s elevation but confirmed that there was no indictment against the CP.
Meanwhile, an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has condemned the planned promotion of Magu to the rank of an AIG .
The lawyer said the development was a spit on all Nigerians and another testament that the President, Buhari has been insincere with his so-called anti-corruption fight.
Reacting, Olajengbesi said, “It is apparent that the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari is chasing shadows and insincere with the so-called fight against corruption.
“The promotion of Magu to the rank of AIG is a spit on the faces of Nigerians and another confirmation that the Buhari administration did not fight corruption but has entrenched it into our institutions.
“The same was witnessed last month when the President endorsed the pardon of former governors of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye; and Taraba State, Jolly Nyame; as well as 157 other convicts. These were people who were jailed having been found guilty of having stolen billions of public funds”.