How corruption ‘fought’ me out of office – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari commissioning the EFCC Head Office

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday recalled events leading to his ouster as Nigeria’s military head of state and eventual incarceration for three years by a military government that succeeded him.
Mr Buhari’s short stint as Nigeria’s military ruler ended in August 1985 following a palace coup by unhappy elements within the military ranks led by his Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Babangida.
He said it was a battle he lost against corruption.

Speaking at the commissioning of new office complex for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Buhari repeated his claim that his removal was due to his stance against corruption.
He said he is not deterred by the notion that when you fight corruption, corruption would fight back.
“My first attempt to fight corruption, corruption fought back successfully. I was removed from office and detained for three years,” he said.

The president said in spite of that experience, his “objective of fighting corruption remained steadfast.”
Mr Buhari explained that since his coming to office as elected president in 2015, he has made “very conscious decisions” to pursue the fight against corruption.
Citing recoveries of “trillions” of naira he said his government has made from corrupt officials, the president gave himself a pass mark, saying he has made “significant progress” in the fight against corruption.

He said there is now a realisation that “corrupt officials would be brought to justice no matter how long it takes.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday recalled events leading to his ouster as Nigeria’s military head of state and eventual incarceration for three years by a military government that succeeded him.
Mr Buhari’s short stint as Nigeria’s military ruler ended in August 1985 following a palace coup by unhappy elements within the military ranks led by his Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Babangida.
He said it was a battle he lost against corruption.

Speaking at the commissioning of new office complex for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Buhari repeated his claim that his removal was due to his stance against corruption.
He said he is not deterred by the notion that when you fight corruption, corruption would fight back.
“My first attempt to fight corruption, corruption fought back successfully. I was removed from office and detained for three years,” he said.

The president said in spite of that experience, his “objective of fighting corruption remained steadfast.”
Mr Buhari explained that since his coming to office as elected president in 2015, he has made “very conscious decisions” to pursue the fight against corruption.
Citing recoveries of “trillions” of naira he said his government has made from corrupt officials, the president gave himself a pass mark, saying he has made “significant progress” in the fight against corruption.

He said there is now a realisation that “corrupt officials would be brought to justice no matter how long it takes.

Magu Reveals Scorecard, Hails Predecessors

In his address, the acting EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu, said under his watch, the commission has recorded 486 convictions, in the last two and half years.
He said, this year alone, the EFCC has secured 89 convictions and “for the first time in Nigeria”, a senior advocate is convicted of corruption.

Mr Magu added that the commission has also recovered N500 billion, explaining that all monies recovered for the federal government were “duly remitted” into the federation account and those for individuals were given back to them.
He saluted the effort and commitment of his predecessors, from the founding chairman of the commission, Nuhu Ribadu, who got the commission its first building in Wuse, Abuja.
He said a new and bigger headquarters for the EFCC became a necessity in view of expansion over the years, as well as the need for “security and confidentiality” for the commission’s operations.