• Another DSS report indicts acting EFCC chair
• Reps move to check Buhari’s power over agency
• Reps move to check Buhari’s power over agency
After about two hours of intense questioning, the Senate yesterday
rejected the second nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the chairman of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
His first nomination for confirmation was rejected in December 15,
2016 over a damning status report sent to the Senate by the Department
of State Services (DSS).
Moreover, the DSS’ opposition to his confirmation points to a crack in
the presidency as previously reported by The Guardian.Magu’s
confirmatory hearing at the Senate was characterised by a series of
indicting questions that set the mood of the day.
An attempt by former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, to oppose the
procedures adopted to screen and disqualify Magu was swiftly overruled
by Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who threw the first question
was very categorical about the need for the acting EFCC boss to provide
detailed explanations on the DSS report which had noted his alleged
corrupt practices, including paying a rent of N20 million per annum
But Magu tried to evade answering the question as he told the
lawmakers that he would not want to rubbish a sister security agency.
Not even the insistence of Saraki that Magu should answer the question
swayed the EFCC boss. Unknown to Magu, the question on the DSS report
was coming back in a more damning form.
But before the matter was re-introduced, Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna
central) had reminded the nominee that it was the ‘Ides of March” and
even prayed for him.
Sani said: “Today is the Ides of March, a very memorable day in the
history of Roman Empire when Julius Caesar was executed when he came to
the Senate. So, may the Lord be with you.”
Re-introducing the DSS report, Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West) suddenly
rose and drew the attention of Magu to a second report which he said was
received by the Senate on Tuesday evening.
Melaye said: “I have before me two reports from the DSS, one
addressed to the Senate in October and the second one written to this
chamber and was received by the office of the Clerk of the Senate at
5:02p.m. just yesterday.
“Magu, nominee for the position of the chairmanship of the EFCC,
having gone through these reports, the first report indicted you but
because of the letter from Mr. President you are here again.
“Just yesterday this report was received from the DSS, paragraph 14
of the report reads thus: ‘In the light of the foregoing, Magu has
failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to
the anti-corruption drive of the present administration.’ “
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