Probe my children if they are corrupt, Buhari tells EFCC

The war against corruption may gather more
steam soon, going by President Muhammadu
Buhari’s latest pronouncement.

The President has told the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft
agencies to probe even his own children or
members of his family implicated in corrupt
practices.

He said he would not forgive the anti-graft agency
if it fails to probe any allegation of corruption
against his children and family members.

A sketch of Buhari’s tough anti-corruption mindset
and plans was contained in a book, “Muhammadu
Buhari: The challenges of leadership in Nigeria”,
which is authored by Prof. John Paden.

The book reveals how Buhari inspired the acting
Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu as a school
boy to develop anti-graft traits.

“Buhari’s attitude is to let the chips fall where they
may in particular cases, although reform of the
judiciary is one of his larger goals.

“Buhari has often said that if any of his own
children were accused of corruption, and the
authorities did not investigate, he would never
forgive the authorities.”

It was also learnt that the President has rebuffed
pressure to save his allies in the All Progressives
Congress(APC) from being probed by anti-graft
agencies.

In spite of their close family ties, it was learnt that
President Muhammadu Buhari has failed to save
the former National Security Adviser, Mr. Sambo
Dasuki because his policy is that there should be
no sacred cows in the anti-corruption war.

It was also revealed for the first time that Buhari
does not have any grudge against Dasuki despite
the latter’s involvement in the August 1985 coup,
which led to the former’s removal as a military
head of state.

“On numerous occasions, Buhari has urged public
officials to do their duty without fear or favour. He
has also tried to inspire younger generations to
regard public service as an honest calling.

“For example, the current acting head of EFCC,
Ibrahim Magu was a schoolboy in Borno when
Buhari was military governor in 1975. Buhari gave
a talk to a group of boys that included Magu and
urged them to do their best.

“Magu was inspired and became a professional
policeman.
“In 2015, Buhari asked Magu to head the EFCC, a
dangerous job if done well. By mid-May 2016,
Magu had secured 143 convictions of corrupt
officials.”