16/03/2017 9:26
He ceases to be EFCC acting chair – Saraki
It’s a national disgrace – Ezekwesili
The Senate yesterday rejected the renomination of Ibrahim Magu as substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
But Magu said his “non confirmation won’t stop the fight against corruption.” His reaction came as he stepped out of the senate and headed for his office.
However, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said at the close of the hearing that Magu had ceased to be the acting chairman of the anti-graft agency from that moment.
He added that President Buhari should present the name of another candidate for the position.
But the presidency declined comment on the issue when asked yesterday about the president’s next move now that Magu had been rejected twice by the senate. Presidential spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina told our reporter that he did not have any information to volunteer on the matter.
Magu’s first comment on stepping out was made to members of some rights groups that gathered outside to receive him after leaving the upper chamber.
“My priority is to fight corruption. My confirmation has not changed anything. I will work until the last day whether confirmation or no confirmation.
“The greatest violation against human right is crime against the society and the humanity. But everybody has a duty and responsibility to fight corruption. I also have a responsibility. I assure you that we will fight to finish,” he also said.
Magu said he was not threatened by the allegations from the Department of State Service (DSS).
“The same report is coming back and this time around, it is signed by somebody which I doubt the genuineness of that report.
“What we are doing is to recover what has got lost before and protect the future of our children. So, if we don’t work today against corruption, the future of our children is not guaranteed. We must all wake up, wherever you find yourself, fight corruption and anytime you discover that I am corrupt, please expose me,” said Magu.
In rejecting Magu, the Senate relied on a “damaging and indicting” report of the DSS.
President Muhammadu Buhari re-nominated him on January 24, saying he was cleared of the allegations after an investigation by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami.
But the DSS wrote another letter dated Tuesday, Mar 14, which had the same content as the previous one it presented in October.
Trouble started for Magu when senators began to ask questions pertaining his stewardship at EFCC since 2015 and the allegations that his hands were deeply rooted in corruption.
Fourteen senators, including Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, asked Magu various questions, but the tone changed as soon as Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi), brought up the DSS letter in the discussion. It was signed by one F. O. Adams on behalf of the Director General of the service, Lawal Daura and received Tuesday at 5:02.pm.
Thereafter, the comments centred on the report and the integrity issues it raised against Magu.
DSS not fair to me - Magu
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