The Nigerian Senate has refused to grant confirmation to the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Explaining the reason behind the decision, the Senate said that security report available to it showed that Mr Magu is not fit to be chairman of the body.
In this regard, the lawmakers have 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.
With the Senate throwing back the nomination of the Mr Magu back to President Buhari, it is not clear at this point what the President’s action would be.
Nevertheless, the Senate President went ahead to welcome and swear in three lawmakers from Rivers state; Senators Magnus Abe, George Sekibo and Osinakachukwu Ideozu who emerged winners in a highly contested and violent senatorial election.
The body language from the Senate had suggested that the confirmation of Mr Magu is not as straightforward as it would seem as the confirmation was postponed twice.
In July 2016, the Senate had received the letter from the Presidency for the confirmation of the appointment of Magu.
The letter also sought the confirmation of Mr Ndasule Moses, Lawan Mamman, Galadanci Imam, and Adeleke Rafiu as members of the commission.
Mr Magu replaced former EFCC boss, Ibrahim Lamorde in Acting capacity in November 2015, after the former Chairman was removed by President Buhari.
He is an Assistant Commissioner of Police and was also one of the deputies of the former EFCC boss.
