Falana chides Senate for rejecting Magu's nomination

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has chided the Nigerian Senate for rejecting EFCC's acting boss, Ibrahim Magu for the second time.

Falana says the Senate's action is a ridicule to President Buhari

According to Falana, the red chamber by its action, ridiculed the office of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The upper chamber had cited a security report from the Department of State Services (DSS) as reason for its action.

But Falana advised President Buhari to restrain the DSS from sabotaging the fight against corruption.

Magu was rejected by the senators through a voice vote

He also stated that some senators under investigation by the commission ought not to have participated in the screening.

He made his stance known through a statement sent to media houses on Wednesday, March 15.

The statement read: “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.

“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.

“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.”

Buhari had vowed to reduce corruption in Nigeria to the barest minimum

Falana however noted that the president could still re-nominate Magu or allow him to keep working in acting capacity as the anti-graft commission boss.

He also said the president is at liberty to remove Magu and have him replaced with another person.

“Mr. Magu’s nomination may be re-presented to the Senate if and when the federal government decides to put its house in order

“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,” Falana said.