Former Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has reacted to renewed claims that former President Goodluck Jonathan approved the controversial 2.1 billion dollars arms procurement funds for political campaign purposes, offering fresh insight into how the commission handled the matter.
Magu explained that during his time at the EFCC, the commission did not summon or interrogate Jonathan over the arms deal controversy because investigators found no official records directly linking the former president to the alleged diversion of the funds for campaign use.
He said the EFCC operates strictly on documentary evidence and legally traceable approvals, noting that allegations without verifiable records were not sufficient grounds to question a former head of state.
According to Magu, available documents did not show that the funds released for arms procurement were formally approved by Jonathan for electioneering or political activities, which made it legally difficult for the commission to invite him for questioning.
The 2.1 billion dollars arms deal scandal emerged after Jonathan left office in 2015 and involved funds meant for the purchase of military equipment to fight insurgency. Several former government officials and political figures were investigated and prosecuted over allegations of diversion and misuse of the money.
Over the years, some individuals linked to the case and political commentators have claimed that parts of the funds were used to finance election campaigns under Jonathan’s administration. However, Magu maintained that there was no documentary trail or formal authorization connecting Jonathan personally to such claims.
He added that while the EFCC pursued cases against individuals where evidence was available, the commission could not act outside the limits of the law or rely on assumptions, regardless of public pressure.
Despite ongoing public debate and controversy surrounding the arms deal, Goodluck Jonathan was never formally charged or invited by the EFCC in connection with campaign funding allegations, a situation Magu said was based purely on legal and evidentiary considerations.
