Magu’s actions tantamount to overthrow of government
BY TAIWO FAROTIMI
Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers State has called for the removal of Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. He said the authorities should also prosecute Magu. The governor said by freezing the accounts of Benue and Akwa Ibom states the EFCC boss has sacked governments of two federating units and should be penalised for such an unconstitutional act. While arguing that it does not matter that the action had been reversed, he said the EFCC boss should be made to answer for the illegality committed under his watch.
In a statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, his special assistant on electronic media, the governor was quoted to have said this in an interview with journalists on Thursday. He said, ” This particular agency thrives on impunity. It disobeys court orders at will and on reckless anti-democratic actions.”
Wike said if the head of the Directorate of State Services, DSS could be sacked, any other agency of state that refuses to respect the rule of law should also be punished.
He said, “When you freeze the account of a state government, you have overthrown that government. Without funds a state cannot function. This means the shutdown of government business at the executive, legislature and judiciary in the affected state.”
He argued that Lawal Daura, the DSS boss was sacked for locking down the federal legislature, while by freezing the accounts of states Magu had shut down the executive, the legislature and the judiciary of the states concerned.
While commending the decision of Governor Yari, chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum to condemn the freezing of state governments’ accounts , the Rivers governor said the Forum should go beyond making statements but take up the matter with the federal authorities.
