Ibrahim Magu is a very frustrated man right now

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, cuts a frustrated and dejected figure these days.

He’s unhappy because he can’t fathom how Abdulrasheed Maina, the alleged ‘pension thief’, found his way back into the federal civil service after the EFCC declared him a wanted man in 2013.

Magu is convinced that some very powerful people in government have been providing ample cover for Maina and goading him on.

“I really don't know what happened, but I know that he has been properly placed on the watch list and he cannot sneak into this country without the law enforcement agencies, you know, something is wrong somewhere and we need to look at that”, Magu said.

The anti-graft agency boss added that; "I was not in the EFCC as at the time the Maina investigation was conducted".

Magu became acting EFCC boss in November 2015.

ALSO READ: Magu says there are people protecting ex-pension reform boss

Magu has advised Maina to turn himself in for his own good and name his cohorts while at it.

"I advise Maina to come and expose those who are involved because we will go after everybody. I am telling you, we will not spare anybody. Let him come out and expose them. If I'm involved in any way, I should also be exposed.

"He has people who are protecting him and that has made it difficult for us to get him arrested. You can imagine, he was promoted. It is really devastating, it is beyond my understanding."

Official correspondence now at everyone’s disposal proves that Attorney General Abubakar Malami piled ample pressure on Head of Service Oyo-Ita to have Maina reinstated into the civil service at the Interior Ministry.

Malami and Magu have had public spats and disagreements recently over the prosecution processes of the EFCC.

EFCC insiders tell Pulse that Magu has grown increasingly frustrated at the lack of inter-agency cooperation in the fight against corruption.

“It’s as if we are alone in this”, one EFCC source disclosed.

As the Maina debacle continues to grip the nation, Magu has instructed his men to sink their claws into the case of the former pension boss; with all they’ve got.

Meanwhile, Maina is still on the run.