TheCable

Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says politicians are determined to destroy the achievements of the anti-graft agency.

Magu said this when Adama Coulibaly, director-general of the Inter-Governmental Action against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), visited him in Abuja.

He blamed politicians for the suspension of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) from the Egmont Group, describing it as a case of “corruption fighting back”.

“Politicians are behind the NFIU crisis because they want to destroy the achievements recorded by the EFCC,” Magu said.

“The frantic move by the legislature to take the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) out of the EFCC was suspicious and borne out of an ulterior motive.

“There is a complete misunderstanding about the workings of the NFIU, and it is surprising that the new bill by the legislators pushing for removal of the NFIU from the EFCC was passed in seven days.

“This is a practice that has never happened in any part of the world.”

He, however, added that he has “confidence in the management of the NFIU and the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML)” and that the relationship is “very cordial and professional”.

“The EFCC is very much in support of the NFIU’s autonomy,” he said.

Magu also said Africa should consider the establishment of an association of African Financial Intelligence Units.