Senate Hits Magu Harder, Rejects His Nomination for the Second Time

The Senate has again rejected the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, after the Department of State Service (DSS) reaffirmed its position that the nominee lacks integrity to lead the country’s anti-corruption agency.

The DSS letter which was sent to the Clerk of the Senate on Wednesday stressed that Mr Magu would constitute “a liability to the anti-corruption drive of the present administration”.

The recent letter by the DSS was sent to affirm its stance on an earlier letter sent to the Senate on Oct. 3, 3016 stating that Mau was unfit for the job.

The Senate had begun the screening of the acting EFCC boss as scheduled and Magu fielded question on different issues bordering on the operations of the commission.

Although some tooth aching questions were asked which Magu couldn’t answer, the turning point came when the letter dated March 14. from the DSS was re-introduced.

Mr Melaye said two reports from the DSS were released on Tuesday on Ibrahim Magu and they both indicted him.

The DSS report basically contained the same allegations raised by the service in December which bothered on the purchase of Mr Magu’s official residence, his and past record as head of the EFCC’s economic governance unit, as well as his relationship with Mohammed Umar.

Mr Umar had been under investigation for alleged money laundering and illegal possession of firearms.

The DSS had also alleged that the retired Air Commodore paid the sum of 40 million Naira for Magu’s rented apartment.

The first was in December 2016, after which he was re-nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari in January, 2017, after consulting with the leadership of the Senate.

Mr Magu has been in acting capacity as EFCC chairman since November, 2015.

Explaining the reason behind the decision, the Senate had in 2016 said that security report available to it showed that Mr Magu was not fit to be chairman of the body.

In that regard, the lawmakers sent back his nomination letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Addressing journalists at the National Assembly, Senate Spokesman, Aliyu Abdullahi said that based on security reports, the Senate cannot proceed to confirm the acting EFCC Chairman.

“Based on security reports available to the Senate, the Senate cannot proceed to confirm Mr Magu, consequently, the Senate rejects the nomination and returns the nomination to President Buhari,” he said.

Shortly after the Senate spokesman briefed journalists, the acting EFCC Chairman was seen hurriedly leaving the National Assembly complex.