The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has criticized United States Senate Chairman, Committee on Finance, Charles Grassley for allegedly accusing the commission of human rights abuses.

It described the lawmaker’s allegations as baseless and without proof.

The Republican Senator had in a letter dated April 1, 2020, and addressed to the Chief Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the US Department of Justice, Deborah Connor, called for a review of plans to return to Nigeria $300million looted by the former Head of State, the late Gen. Sani Abacha.

The com­mittee members urged the Trump administration to pause action until they are able to satisfy certain de­mands of the committee, un­der its oversight powers.

The committee accused the Muhammadu Buhari regime of corruption and Magu of “detaining individuals who have spoken against the Buhari government.”

It bemoaned the roles being played by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abu­bakar Malami and the EFCC boss in the alleged abuse.

But the acting Acting Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Tony Orilade, in a statement on Saturday, rebutted Grassley’s allegations, stating that they have “no bearing with the operations of the EFCC nor address the painstaking efforts of Magu in tackling the menace of corruption, without fear or favor.”

The agency described the US committee’s letter as a desperate bid to frustrate the repatriation of the funds.

It noted, “Grassley evidently lacks any sound basis for linking the EFCC and Magu with an oppressive or separatist agenda against government opposition.”

As an anti-graft agency, the commission said it has credible records of managing recovered funds and assets.

“It is rather unfortunate that the ranking US Senator, in a desperate bid to frustrate the repatriation of the funds, clearly embraced the well-worn antics of some unscrupulous elements in the country, who never succeeded in blackmailing the anti-corruption crusade of the President (Major General) Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

“Even the harshest detractors of Mr Magu know and always acknowledge his firm and bold handling of the anti- corruption fight which continues to earn him accolades within and outside Nigeria,” the anti-graft agency stated.