Magu slams judiciary over release of convicted ex-gov Ngilari

by Azeez Adeniyi

The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu on Friday berated prison officials over the controversial release of convicted ex-Governor of Adamawa State, Bala Ngilari.

Magu expressed his view when officials of the World Bank paid the EFCC a courtesy visit in Abuja.

The Adamawa State High Court had sentenced Ngilari to five years imprisonment over award of contract without due process to the tune of N167.8m.

[Read Also: FG SUSPENDS THREE PRISONS OFFICERS OVER NGILARI’S RELEASE]

The ex-governor then went back to the same court and asked for bail, pending the determination of his appeal.

A medical report was tendered stating that Ngilari was sick and would require medical attention in a Canadian hospital in the United Arab Emirates.

Magu said such action by the prison officials was frustrating the fight against corruption.

[Read Also: CONVICTED EX-ADAMAWA GOVERNOR, NGILARI GRANTED BAIL]

EFCC spokesman,  Wilson Uwujaren in a statement said Magu told World Bank officials that corruption cases were dragging for too long in various courts across the country.

The statement added, “The EFCC boss expressed concern over the delay usually experienced in dispensing corruption cases and the conspiracy (in some cases) between the criminals and judicial workers/law enforcement agents to make violators of law escape justice, citing the case of a former governor of Adamawa State, Bala Ngilari, who was set free with the connivance of a prison warder and court registrar after being convicted by court.”

Magu appreciated the support the Commission had received from the World Bank.

He said, “The assistance has in no small measure contributed to the successes recorded by the EFCC so far.”

He added, “EFCC needs training in money laundering as it is still a new concept which most judges and prosecutors still need to better understand.”

He also expressed his desire to have the construction work on the commission’s permanent site completed this year for effective performance.

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