Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has withdrawn his lawsuit to restrain Mr. Ibrahim Magu, from parading himself as the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The human rights lawyer, represented by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) told Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday that he had pleaded with the plaintiff to withdraw his lawsuit against the EFCC boss. He said Mr. Magus should be supported in his fight against corrupt practices in the country, adding that the recent feat achieved by the anti-graft agency deserves encouragement.
Justice Olatoregun consequently struck out the case.
Mr. Adegboruwa had filed an application, supported by a 39 paragraph affidavit challenging the confirmation of Mr. Magu. The suit also contended that since the Senate had rejected Magu as the substantive chairman of the anti-graft agency, his continuous functioning as the boss of the commission was illegal.
Speaking to pressmen at the court premises, Oyetibo said; “When I got instruction to take over the conduct of this matter, I looked at the papers and I felt that Mr. Ibrahim Magu should be supported in his anti-corruption crusade and then I had a conference with Mr. Adegboruwa who is the plaintiff/applicant in the case and persuaded him should let the matter be withdrawn so that Mr. Magu can scale through his confirmation.
He added that since the suit was to challenge his confirmation but with recent development, the EFCC boss should be given the benefit of the doubt and be allowed to go through his confirmation without a hitch.
Mr. Adegboruwa, however, warned the acting chair of EFCC to abide by the dictates of the rule of law in carrying out his duties.
Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, a prosecutor for EFCC, expressed excitement at the turn the matter had taken. He said the withdrawal is not only a victory for EFCC but also a victory for the war against corruption.
“I am elated and encouraged on hearing that Mr. Ebun-Adegboruwa’s lawyer, Mr. Oyetibo who decided to withdraw his application challenging the confirmation of the chairman on the ground that the chairman has performed excellently. I think it will amount to contesting the obvious to come and say that the commission under the leadership of the current administration is not doing very well” Mr. Oyedepo told pressmen.