Forces bent on putting a stop to the anti-corruption campaign are amalgamating forces to politicise and stampede the process of impartial investigation of Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) Mr Ibrahim Magu, a coalition of several civil society groups said on Wednesday.

The coalition said “the arrows being fired against Magu were the latest orchestrated designs to return Nigeria to the status quo and ensure corruption and impunity return to reclaim their inglorious seat at the apex of Nigerian political economy.”

The Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) in a statement signed by its official, Mr Sina Odugbemi, accused the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami of building a network of people opposed to accountability and transparency in governance.

“It stirs the conscience of Nigerians that an investigative panel meant to interrogate Mr Magu had same day detained him and the same day purveyors of fake news and public persecution of Magu bandits his removal as the EFCC Acting Chairman. The entire drama is nothing but a prepaid plan to defeat the anti-corruption campaign,” CSNAC, a coalition of 150 local, national and regional anti-corruption groups spread across Nigeria and West Africa, said in the statement.

The anti-corruption coalition said it was not opposed to investigation of Magu for possible cases of corruption but that the way and manner the forces behind the plot pursued their desire was a clear indication that Magu was a victim of political power game between reactionary and progressive forces.

“It is suspicious that the purpose of the allegations, stemming from the Attorney General’s memo against Magu was deliberately orchestrated to remove Magu from office and not to call for impartial investigation. It was nothing but a mockery of the rule of law. Similar experience was meted out to the Pioneer Chairman of the Commission, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, when agents of corrupt ruling elites took over government in 2017,” CSNAC said.

The coalition said while some of the allegations were rehash of same allegations concocted by the former leadership of DSS, for which Magu was investigated and exonerated before his name was represented to the National Assembly for confirmation.

“Mr Magu was dragged to the panel without adequate notice. He was not given the time and opportunity to prepare his defence. He was not given any chance to call witnesses. He hurriedly called his lawyer who was also not adequately briefed before Magu was brought to the panel in a state of confusion and anxiety,” the coalition stated.

CSNAC said Magu has been the subject of covert attacks by corrupt politicians spread across Nigeria’s two main political parties and their collaborators in the business community.

“The removal of Magu may be the end of any genuine efforts to fight corruption in Nigeria,” CSNAC said.