The court case filed against the conformation of Mr Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, was today withdrawn at the Federal High Court, Lagos. In the case, Adegboruwa had sought to stop the Senate from proceeding with the conformation of Magu as EFCC chairman based upon his alleged corrupt practices and lavish lifestyle.

At the resumed hearing today before Olatoregun J, Mr Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, appeared for Mr Adegboruwa, while Mr. Wahab Shitu Esq led Rotimi Oyedepo for the respondents. Mr Oyetibo informed the court that upon being instructed to handle the case, he went through the file and decided to persuade Mr Adegboruwa to drop the case, in order to encourage Mr Magu in the anti-corruption campaign. He stated further that there is need to give Magu the opportunity to continue the anti-corruption campaign of the present administration and since this case may affect Magu's confirmation as such, it was better to discontinue it.

Confirming the position of Mr Oyetibo, Mr Adegboruwa himself told the court that he was well persuaded by his counsel, that in his second coming, Mr Magu will do a good job, to be more rule of law friendly and to be holistic in his approach to the anti-corruption drive of the administration.

Responding, Mr Wahab Shittu stated the respondents are not opposed to the withdrawal of the case and that they were very happy on the position that Mr Adegboruwa has taken, “which would surely boost the anti-corruption war of the Buhari/Osinbajo administration.” He said that “the government needs the input and support of lawyers and activists like Mr Adegboruwa to bring their wealth of experience to bear on the fight again corruption.”

The judge consequently struck out the case.

While responding to journalists after the proceedings, Mr Adegboruwa stated that he was “not intimidated by anyone to withdraw the case but was genuinely persuaded, given recent mind-boggling revelations of alleged corrupt practices, to support the fight against corruption.” Adegboruwa stated further that his challenge is the manner in which the anti-corruption war is being prosecuted, “which would appear to be selective and at times, against due process of law.”

He maintained that his decision to withdraw the case does not amount to an endorsement of the Muhammadu Buhari/Yemi Osinbajo regime but that he has “only picked a positive aspect of the regime’s policies” for his conditional support.

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