The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has defended the agency’s N24 billion new office, brushing aside criticisms about the huge cost, and claiming it is a modest amount for a building that should cost N100 billion.
A visibly angry Magu yesterday took strong exception to the scrutiny that followed the EFCC’s completion of the new headquarters in Abuja.
The 10-floor building is about 95 per cent completed as at May 9, and is expected to serve as the operating base for the anti-graft body.
Politicians have hailed the completion, but anti-corruption campaigners and other citizens are instead keeping their eyes on the cost, especially coming at a time that the agency itself is complaining of poor funding that hampers its basic operations.
“You are not being fair,” Magu said when asked by PREMIUM TIMES to respond to the controversies around the N24 billion price Wednesday. “If you go and bring any valuer, they will value it for not less than N100 billion.”
Magu took a select group of journalists on a tour of the building Wednesday afternoon, during which he took questions which were restricted to the new building. The anti-graft chief refused to take questions about his own activities or those of the EFCC in recent months.
The tour is part of ongoing efforts to raise public awareness to the building before formal opening by President Muhammadu Buhari on May 15.
He explained the cumbersome and expensive procurement process that culminated in the successful execution of the new head office, located at about 12 kilometres southwest of Abuja’s Central Business District.
“That shows prudence, that shows transparency,” Mr Magu said.
Suspicions have escalated within the past two weeks when Mr Magu began gloating about the building, which was built by construction firm, Julius Berger.
The acting EFCC chairman told The Nation last month he was “excited that the headquarters is ready for use” and placed it at an offhand price of N24 billion.
“I will crosscheck to give you the exact figure,” he added.
The skepticism that ensued following the revelation last month gained traction online Tuesday after the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, led other lawmakers on a tour of the facility.
Saraki praised Magu and his last two predecessors for putting in their best to complete the building for the agency, which was established in 2003.
The agency has been renting offices and official quarters for most of its staff at its branches across the country, including in Abuja where hundreds are currently putting up in rented apartment.
