-President Muhammadu Buhari has replied the Senate n its rejection of the nomination of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu
– He also sought the Senate’s confirmation of Magu as a substantial Chairman of the EFCC
– The the Senate had, on December 15, 2016, rejected Magu’s nomination based on a ‘security report’ by the DSS.
President Muhammadu Buhari has replied the Senate on its rejection of the nomination of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu and sought his reconfirmation by the red chamber.
Punch reports that in a letter, which reliable sources said was sent to the Office of the President of the Senate on Sunday night, 22nd January, Buhari pleaded with the lawmakers to confirm Magu.
It was gathered that the President’s stance stemmed from the fact that the acting EFCC chairman had been cleared of allegations against him in the security report by the Department of State Services.
Buhari’s letter was in response to the communication from the Senate on the rejection of Magu’s nomination for the EFCC chairmanship.
It was further learnt that the President addressed the issue of Senate’s allegation of misconduct against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.
A source, who is close to the leadership of the Senate, said that the President appealed to the Senate to confirm Magu.
The source, who declined to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media on the new development, said: “The President of the Senate got the letter last (Sunday) night. He is not covering the allegations in the DSS report, but Magu had been cleared of the DSS allegations.”
Six months after Buhari wrote the Senate, asking for legislative approval for Magu’s appointment, the lawmakers had, on December 15, 2016, rejected the nomination based on a “security report” by the DSS.
The DSS, in its report, specifically disqualified Magu from the EFCC chairmanship, alleging that his activities had made him ineligible to hold the office.
The report was addressed to the Clerk of the Senate, dated October 3, 2016, in reference to a letter by the Senate, dated September 21, 2016, asking for Magu’s security check.
The report, which listed several alleged malpractices against the EFCC boss, concluded, “In this light, Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption drive of the present administration.”
The Senate, after rejecting Magu’s nomination, had communicated the rejection to the President.
The EFCC acting chairman had, in response to a query given to him by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, denied the allegations.
Another senior lawmaker in the Senate also confirmed Magu’s renomination by Buhari.
The senator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the there were indications, after the Senate rejected Magu’s confirmation, that Buhari would not present a different nominee.
When asked if he was aware that Buhari had re-presented Magu to the Senate, the senator said, “Why won’t I be aware? You people (media) now need to market him very well because the anti-corruption war must be fought by everybody; otherwise, if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us.”
The Media Office of the President of the Senate, however, declined to speak on the communication from the Presidency on Magu.
The Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Yussuph Olaniyonu, said: “If there is any executive communication, it would be announced at plenary.”
Falana, Sagay, CACOL back Buhari, Mohammed berates Senate, President’s aides
In his reaction, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), said the renomination of Magu was in order because the EFCC boss was not treated fairly the last time as he was not allowed to defend the allegations levelled against him.
Falana said: “With respect, the Senate did not consider the nomination the first time. The Senate is required to conduct a confirmation hearing whereby the nominee is afforded an opportunity to react to allegations made against him or her. That was the procedure adopted in the screening of all ministerial nominees. I am sure that the Senate will adopt the same procedure in the case of Magu.”
Also speaking with one of our correspondents, the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), said the President was right to send Magu’s name back to the Senate for confirmation.
Sagay said the report implicating Magu had been investigated and found not to be true and therefore, of no consequence.
The senior advocate added: “I am in support of this move. That is the best choice and I am happy about it. He was victimised because he was doing his job very well. People were afraid because he was excellent at that job and they felt threatened.”
Asked if he was confident of Magu’s confirmation this time round, Sagay said: “Their reasons for rejecting him was that a report was written against him and that report has been proved to be totally untrue and unsubstantiated; so, what other reason do they have to reject him?”
On his part, Second Republic member of the House of Representatives, Dr Junaid Mohammed, described the controversy surrounding the confirmation of Magu as an unnecessary distraction.
According to him, both the President and the Senate could have saved the nation’s precious time if they had done their homework right from the beginning.
He said the drama surrounding the whole affair exposed the level of “incompetence” which exists at the highest levels of government.
Mohammed said: “As far as I am concerned, the controversy about the rejection of Ibrahim Magu’s name was unnecessary and uncalled for. It was badly handled by the Executive branch.
“First, before his name was submitted there should have been a very thorough security check; once that has been done, other security agencies and other arms of government should be in the know.
“As far as I am concerned, Magu is still a policeman and the police that I know keep very meticulous records about their personnel especially an officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police.
“There was absolutely no reason for this fracas which was caused by the mediocrity, incompetence and irresponsibility of those who are charged with handling such matters for Mr. President.”
He accused the DSS of wanting to eat its cake and have it by writing separate reports on the same person and changing it to save face following a backlash.
Mohammed also accused Senators of behaving like amateurs in their its handling of the Magu’s initial confirmation hearing by not giving him a chance to defend himself if indeed there was an adverse report about his professional conduct.
He stated: “Clearly, some people in the cabal have found it necessary to align with Senators who are anti- Magu and anti-EFCC. This initial plan of the Senate backfired because of the massive pressure from the public and the international community.
“In backfiring, it has exposed the ineptitude and mediocrity of the Presidency and the executive branch.
“I hope the EFCC will save us from further embarrassment. I hope the Senate will this time live up to the occasion and confirm Magu to continue with his job.”
The Chairman, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, Debo Adeniran, hailed the President for re-nominating Magu as the EFCC’s chairman to the Senate.
Describing Magu as the best man for the job, Adeniran said he had shown the courage and tenacity against corruption which corrupt Nigerians detested.
He said: “That was what we recommended to the President. Magu has the courage to look at corrupt leaders in the eye. He is courageous and determined and that is what corrupt persons in the country do not want.
“This was why we urged the President not to nominate anybody else. If we allow Magu to be disgraced out of office, nobody would be willing to take up the position and exhibit the zeal needed to perform as chairman of the commission.”
CLO flays Buhari for renominating acting EFCC’s boss
The Executive Director, Civil Liberties Organisation, Mr. Ibuchukwu Ezike, however, flayed the President for re-presenting Magu to the Senate, saying it showed that the government was not sincere with its anti-corruption fight.
“Representing Magu to the Senate for confirmation shows that the APC government is not fighting corruption, and that it is deceiving Nigerians that it is fighting corruption.
“Is Magu the only Nigerian that has the capacity to head the EFCC? How many heads of the EFCC have come and gone; has that place collapsed? So, if the Senate, in its wisdom, after assessing Magu, says he is not qualified, why is the President imposing him?
“If the Senate says Magu is not qualified, the executive can give him any position it wants, but not that the President will continue to impose Magu.
“It shows that there is a conspiracy between the Presidency and Magu. There are over one million Nigerians that are qualified to head the EFCC.”
Source: NAIJ
