The Leader of the PAN Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark has expressed his frustration over the pervasive corruption plaguing Nigeria. He cited a specific instance involving the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, who filed 23 charges against Ibrahim Magu, the former acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), about three years ago.
He stated that despite Magu's close association with President Muhammadu Buhari and numerous attempts to secure his confirmation by the Senate, he was repeatedly rejected by the Senate due to allegations of corruption. He pointed out that Magu was eventually appointed as EFCC Chairman without being cleared by the Senate as against the constitution.
He said in an interview with Arise TV, ''Sometimes I feel very sad about the corruption situation in Nigeria. Let me point out to you a case of corruption. About 3 years ago AGF Malami leveled 23 charges against Magu the acting Chairman of EFCC.
Magu was a beloved officer of Muhammadu Buhari. About five times, he presented him to the Senate and five times he was rejected. And they decided that the constitution did not say anybody who should be appointed as EFCC Chairman should go through the Senate. But yet they were disobeying the same constitution and arresting any people they wanted to arrest. Magu did not go to the Senate and he was in office for 5 years.''