By Sadiq Umar – The Senate on Thursday rejected the nomination Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), citing security reports as reason for its decision.
Mr. Magu has been working in acting capacity as Chairman of the anti-corruption agency since the past six months.
The senate had earlier delayed the screening and confirmation exercise until today when it finally carried out the screening.
Senators were initially divided on whether to proceed with Mr. Magu’s case leading to verbal attacks among some just before the plenary resumed for the day.
Mr. Magu arrived the Senate in a Range Rover Jeep accompanied by some aides and well-wishers. He was immediately ushered into the Chambers where he was told point blank that he would not be screened.
The Senate cited security reports filed before it by the Department of State Security (DSS) as the chief reason for refusing to screen Mr. Magu.
The Senate, it was learnt, latched onto a section of the DSS report that Mr. Magu should account for some of the properties traced to him, running into several millions of naira as the EFCC Chairman, among other allegations contained in the report.
Senate Spokesman, Senator Abdullahi Aliyu Sabi, who briefed journalists after the plenary said security report against him was the main reason.
He said the Senate had communicated its decision not to screen the Acting EFCC Chairman to President Muhammadu Buhari, urging him to take necessary action.
Sen. Sabi, after briefing newsmen refused to entertain any question, as he called for understanding of the newsmen on the position by the Senate.
At a caucus meeting of Senators held before the plenary, senators were sharply divided between pro and anti-Magu with some issuing threats against colleagues.
Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi), before the closed-door session was seen shouting and tongue lashing the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume who ostensibly favours the confirmation of Mr. Magu.
It was further learnt that, when the meeting which started around 9.15 a.m became riotous, senators later moved to the Chamber while the Senate President immediately called for a closed session.
