Quoting the words of Ibrahim Magu, he said;

“I think Rivers State is the next to Lagos in terms of crime(financial crime). This (Rivers) is the headquarters of money laundering because there is a lot of oil money here. I think you can rate Port Harcourt the second to maybe Lagos when you talk of people playing with sinking, diving, hiding, maybe because of the large space of oil deals.”

Although Magu made mention of Rivers state in his statement, the belief is that he is acting a script to indict all past and present administrations of Lagos state since 1999, and build a foundation upon which he will accuse and prosecute Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his associates for financial malpractices, corruption and money laundering.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos state between 1999 and 2007, has been a key player in the politics and administration of the state even after leaving power in 2007. Opposition and other critics accuse him of superintending over large scale of corruption since 1999 and diverting state’s resources to himself. He was instrumental in bringing Buhari to power in 2015 under the All Progressive Congress (which he was the biggest partner during its formation). He also played significant role helping Buhari remain power during the February 23, 2019 presidential election.

His Cold War With President Buhari

Since June 2019, Asiwaju Tinubu, who doubles as the national leader of the All Progressive Congress, has been engaged in cold war with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Since the war began, President Buhari has targeted several protégés and associates of his, including, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, whom he relieved of several responsibilities and fired over thirty Aides of his; Mr Babatunde Fowler, whom he relieved of his appointment as Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service; Mr Muiz Banire, whom he fired as Chairman of Asset Management Company of Nigeria; Senator Remi Tinubu, a serving senator and wife of Asiwaju Tinubu, whom he snubbed and humiliated in public glare while acknowledging greetings of others; and Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi, the Managing Director of Rural Electrification Agency, whom he forced out of office in a disgraceful manner.

Tinubu on the other hand appears to have launched his media arsenals against President Buhari, which has badly damaged his reputation, especially within the committee of nations. As a result of the unfavorable media description of his administration, he is now portrayed as a civilian despot and sectional leader that disregards laws and other institutions of Nigeria. The various scathing attacks from Tinubu owned Nation Newspaper and its allies

Tinubu And His Battles With Federal Government have really put the administration on the edge.

So, it is not surprising that President Muhammadu Buhari may tinker with the idea of dealing with him by using the EFCC and other security agencies against him like he (Buhari) usually do against other real and perceived opponents.

But Tinubu is not new to this kind of political battle having had similar experience against Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.

Asiwaju Tinubu Vs Olusegun Obasanjo

In 2006, the protem chairman of EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, accused him of perpetuating corruption in grand style

Many ascribed the indictment to his political battle between Governor Bola Tinubu and President Olusegun Obasanjo led federal government. However, since leaving office in 2007 and losing his immunity, the commission and the federal government are yet to find any cause to institute criminal suit against Tinubu despite the “indictment”.

In 2003, while in office as Governor, the Code of Conduct bureau accused Asiwaju Tinubu of maintaining foreign accounts between 1999 and 2000. The Bureau also indicted several other governors as at then. While other indicted governors were invited by the Bureau to “clarify” and clear themselves, Asiwaju Tinubu was not given such privilege. After leaving office, he was charged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal in 2007 by the federal government prosecutors. The case was later withdrawn.

Asiwaju Tinubu Vs Goodluck Jonathan

In 2011, due to what many suspected to be as a result of political differences between Asiwaju Tinubu and the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, the government filed a fresh criminal charge against Asiwaju Tinubu at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja based on the 2003 Code of Conduct Bureau indictment, while withdrawing the previous charge that was filed in 2007. However, it was Tinubu that had the last laugh as the Tribunal, through the presiding Chairman, Mr Danladi Umar, dismissed the case against him for lack of merit and gave victory to Asiwaju Tinubu.

Should Ibrahaim Magu, the EFCC Chairman execute his threat of going after Lagos state being the “capital” of corruption and money laundering (like he alleges) and charge Asiwaju Tinubu to court for financial malpractices, Nigerians will definitely be anxious to see whether the APC national leader will triumph over the federal government for the third time.

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