Femi FalanaHuman Rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has said that the rejection of Ibrahim Magu as substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu by the Senate cannot stop him from continuing in acting capacity for the duration of his tenure.
“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.”
In a statement today, Falana called on President Buhari to ensure that the fight against corruption is not derailed by those he called “highly placed corrupt elements who have enlisted the support of fifth columnists.”
He described the Wednesday rejection Magu as Chairman of EFCC by the Senate on the basis of a security report compiled by the State Security Service as “the height of official ridicule of the office of the President.
“It is high time President Buhari restrains the State Security Service from sabotaging the fight against corruption by the federal government.”
With respect to the Senate, the lawyer said that the confirmation hearing was hurriedly conducted, describing it as 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 the grounds of conflict of interest.
“It is also a contravention of the Rules of the Senate, which stipulate that matters which are sub judice shall not be discussed by the Senate.”
He said that with the rejection of the nomination of Magu, the President has another option of re-presenting the name of the same Magu to the Senate if and when the Federal Government decides to put its house in order.
Falana said that if the President is not satisfied with Magu’s performance, he can appoint another person whose nomination will be forwarded to the Senate in accordance with section 2 (3) of the EFCC Act, 2004. [myad]
