Appeal Court overturns judgment backing Magu’s prolonged acting EFCC tenure

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled that Ibrahim Magu’s prolonged tenure as acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was illegal.

According to SaharaReporters, the appellate court overturned a 2019 Federal High Court judgment that upheld Magu’s continued retention in office despite the Senate twice rejecting his nomination.

The appeal was filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who argued that Magu could not remain indefinitely in an acting capacity after lawmakers refused to confirm him.

Magu had served as acting EFCC chairman from 2015 until his suspension by former President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2020.

The ruling concerns the legality of Magu’s previous tenure and does not affect the commission’s current leadership under Ola Olukoyede.