President Buhari not pretending in corruption fight - Magu

Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has praised President Muhammadu Buharis anti-corruption campaign, while also refusing to comment on the controversial return of Abdulrasheed Maina.

While speaking at a meeting between an African Union (AU) delegation and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Olukunle Bamgbose, in Abuja on Thursday, October 26, 2017, the EFCC boss said the president's endorsement by the union is proof that his anti-corruption campaign is legitimate.

He said, "You and I know that he is not kidding. He is not pretending. There is no pretence there in his will to fight corruption. There is no doubt about that.

"You know me enough and we would go ahead. We will not disappoint the rest of the world.

"They have recognised that the president is doing well and they have come here, the African Union, our brothers and sisters and we will do everything possible to contribute positively."

When asked to clarify the anti-graft agency's position on the recall of wanted former chairman of the defunct Presidential Task Team on Pension Reforms (PTTPR), Maina, Magu said he'll make a statement at an appropriate time.

"We should reserve that for another time. We have done our best. We have declared him a wanted person. It is on our website. At the appropriate time, I would make statement on this issue," he said.

Maina was recalled and promoted after he had been dismissed by the Federal Civil Service Commission in 2013 following a recommendation by the Office of the Head of Service.

In 2015, he was charged alongside former Head of Service, Steve Oronsaye, Osarenkhoe Afe and Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited before a Federal High Court on a 24-count charge bordering on procurement fraud and obtaining by false pretence through the award of fraudulent biometric contracts.

After he was declared wanted over an alleged N2 billion pension fraud, he evaded capture from the EFCC and fled abroad.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, and Head of Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, have been reported to be instrumental to the process of Maina's recall.

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On Monday, October 23, after his reinstatement drew public condemnation, President Buhari ordered Maina's 'disengagement' and ordered a full investigation into the circumstances of his recall.

On Tuesday, October 24, the Senate and House of Representatives also set up separate ad-hoc committees to investigate the issue.