Recent reports that Transparency International UK had endorsed the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has proven to be false.
A statement issued by the Anti-corruption body, EFCC had said that the International Anti-corruption monitor had endorsed Mr Magu as an Anti-Corruption icon.
The statement of the EFCC had come on the heels of the rejection of Magu by the Nigerian Senate as the nominee for confirmation to head the commission.
However, in a statement by TI announcing the event which Magu was invited to, it was categorically stated that the the invitation was not an endorsement by the World body.
TI-UK stated in its website http://www.transparency.org.uk/ it said that it had to clarify that inviting Magu did not constitute an endorsement as reported in the Nigerian media.
“in light of reports in Nigerian press, TI-UK would like to clarify the following points:
“The event is being hosted by Transparency International UK, Global Witness and The Corner House.
“This event does not constitute an official follow-up to the London Anti-Corruption Summit, hosted by the UK Government in May 2016.
“The purpose of this event is to contribute to the discussion about the effectiveness of the UK-Nigerian asset recovery process, and more generally the UK’s asset recovery regime.
“All invited guests speak on behalf of either themselves or the organisation they represent – their participation does not represent an endorsement by TI-UK.”
Last week, The Senate had rejected Mr Magu’s nomination following a report by the DSS which alleged that he would constitute a liability to the anti-corruption fight of the current administration.
The security body had alleged that Magu hob-nobbed with individuals who were under investigation by the commission.
The report added that he (Magu) lived in a N40 million house paid for by someone being investigated by the commisson.
Following this report which was sent in October 2016 and reaffirmed last week by the DSS, the senate rejected Magu’s nomination.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
