The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on Thursday declared that the war against corruption “is now total”.

Magu, who said this when he visited The Nation head office in Lagos state, added that the commission is more determined than ever to fight corruption to a standstill and to sustain “the current momentum”.

“We’re now going to declare total war on corruption. It is our responsibility to crush corrupt practices in this country,” he said.

Accompanied by the commission’s Public Affairs Director Mr Osita Nwaja, Head of Media Mr Wilson Uwujaren and Head, Media in Lagos Office, Mr Samin Amaddin, the EFCC boss disclosed that the biggest challenge to the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration’s anti-graft crusade is “corruption fighting back”.

“It’s real and they (those fighting back) have all the money,” he said, adding that there were no fewer than 125 high profile corruption cases still “hanging in court”.

On the delay of such cases, Magu blamed it all on Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), who he said were used by rich and powerful suspects to frustrate cases.

“How can 31 SANs go to court to defend one (suspected) looter? Sometimes judges are intimidated. Why should 31 SANs appear for a suspect? We need to ask questions,” Magu said.