Adegboruwa withdraws suit against Magu’s confirmation as EFCC chairman

Human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has withdrawn the case he filed against the confirmation of Mr Ibrahim Magu as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal High Court Lagos.

Adegboruwa filed the suit on the ground of his alleged corrupt practices and lavish lifestyle.

At the resumed hearing Monday, Mr Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), appeared for Adegboruwa, while Mr. Wahab Shitu and Rotimi Oyedepo appeared for the respondents. Oyetibo informed the court that upon being instructed to handle the case, he went through the file and decided to persuade Adegboruwa to drop the case, in order to encourage Magu in the anti-corruption campaign.

He stated further that there was a 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 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, Wahab Shittu stated: “the respondents are not opposed to the withdrawal of the case and they were very happy on the position that Adegboruwa has taken, which would surely boost the anti-corruption war of the Buhari/Osinbajo administration.

“The government needs the input and support of lawyers and activists like Adegboruwa, to bring their wealth of experience to bear on the fight against corruption,” he said.

Consequently, Justice J. Olatoregun struck out the case.

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