Senate confirms Owasanoye as ICPC chairman

The senate has confirmed Bolaji Owasanoye as chairman of the Independent Corrupt Pratices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

Owasanoye and eight other nominees were confirmed on Thursday after Chukwuka Utazi, chairman senate committee on anti-corruption and financial crimes, presented a report.

Utazi said the nominees met the requirements expected of them.

But Akpan Bassey, senator representing Akwa Ibom north-east, protested.

The senator faulted the exclusion of south-south and south-east as nominees for the commission.

“In my opinion, I believe that leaving out the south-south and south-east does not go well with the selection process,” he said.

On his part, Ahmed Lawan, senate leader, said the nominees were duly selected

“We have consulted at the highest level during this process. Let us not delay any longer with the appointment of these people who will make the ICPC better,” Lawan said.

The nominees were confirmed after a voice vote by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Saraki said: “I would like congratulate the Chairman and members. This is a very important Commission in governance and in our fight against corruption.

“I wish them a successful tenure and hope they carry out the job before them in a transparent and professional manner devoid of politics.”

Here are other members of the board:

Grace N. Chinda- Member (Delta, south-south)

Okolo Titus M – Member (Enugu, south-east)

Obiora Igwedebia – Member (Anambra, south-west)

Olubukola Balogun – Member (Lagos, south-west)

Adams Bello- Member- (Katsina, north-west)

Hannatu Muhammed – Member (Jigawa, north-west)

Abdullahi Maikano Saidu- Member (Niger, north-central)

Yahaya Umar Dauda – Member (Nassarawa, north-central).