Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, says the upper legislative chamber ridiculed the office of President Muhammadu Buhari by rejecting the confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The upper legislative chamber had cited a security report from the Department of State Services (DSS) as reason for its action.
But Falana advised Buhari to restrain the secret police from sabotaging the fight against corruption.
The lawyer said some senators under investigation by the commission ought not to have participated in the screening.
Advertisement
“The rejection of the nomination of Mr Ibrahim Magu as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) this afternoon by the senate on the basis of a security report compiled by the State Security Service is the height of official ridicule of the office of the president,” he said in a statement.
“It is high time the State Security Service was restrained by President Buhari from sabotaging the fight against corruption by the federal government.
“With respect to the senate, the confirmation hearing hurriedly conducted today is illegal in every material particular. The participation of many senators who are either under investigation or being prosecuted by the EFCC has vitiated the entire proceedings of the senate on ground of conflict of interest.
Advertisement
“It is also a contravention of the rules of the senate which stipulates that matters which are sub judice shall not be discussed by the senate.”
Falana said Buhari could still re-nominate Magu or allow him to keep working in acting capacity.
“However, notwithstanding the rejection of the nomination of Mr. Magu by the senate the options open to president are clear and straight forward. They are as follows:,” he said
“Mr. Magu’s nomination may be re-presented to the Senate if and when the Federal Government decides to put its house in order.
Advertisement
“Alternatively, the president may allow Mr. Magu to remain the acting chairman of the EFCC since he was appointed in that capacity pursuant to section 171 of the constitution.
“But if the president is not satisfied with Mr. Magu’s performance he is at liberty to appoint another person whose nomination will be forwarded to the Senate in accordance with section 2 (3) of the EFCC Act, 2004.
“In the light of the foregoing, President Buhari is enjoined to ensure that the fight against corruption is not derailed by highly placed corrupt elements who have enlisted the support of fifth columnists and reactionary forces in the government.”
Advertisement
4 comments
Since Senators on corruption trial have decided to ridicule the office of the President, The President should then appoint someone with serious integrity to take down these corrupt men and women. He should look beyond the north and realize that even his men at the state house are part of the plot to destroy his anti-corruption fight.
This is a clear case of corruption fighting back. The president should keep Magu there. There’s no saint in Nigeria. Magu is as good as they come. PMB should ignore those stealators and leave Magu alone to do his job even as Active Chairman.
Nigerians are tired of all these dramas, the intelligent ones are sceptical to this one-sided loop hunting for stolen looted booties. It irks Nigerians to see urges to cub corruption underplayed and undermined by politicians and the government. This tension surrounding EFCC Magu, The senators, and PMB’s government and its ambition to fight corruption is uncalled for. For Magu and Senators are entwined to a saying which says: What goes around comes around.
Nigeria politicians like they always do are clowns, they loot and carte away your money displaying before onlookers some silly mirage shows to buy enough time until time is up and the show comes to an end. At the end clowns are at the receiving end for his witticisms. I will never subscribe to a notion that there’s NO saint in Nigeria that can uncover these thieves, even if bringing his own blood to justice…which means there’s no single honest and GOD fearing person in 80 million in all the regions of federal republic of Nigeria, out of 180million? If truly PMB is ready to clean up the country of corruption there are neutral spiritedly committed people in Nigeria who can flush out these thieves, let’s the President look for such people and appoint them. Nigerians hope and future shouldn’t be tossed around.
Baba buari is trying his best, but they have adapted to bad abit, whether they allow him or not, they laying something down,if Nigeria situation was not organize they are the vanderlizer