Senate set to confirm Magu, screening holds Wednesday

Senate set to confirm Magu, screening holds Wednesday

All is now set for the screening and confirmation of Mr.Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).The Senate has set Wednesday for his screening which a few senators told our correspondent would be a mere formality as the upper legislative chamber has decided to confirm the man they turned down last year.

This month marks the 8th month since Magu’s name was submitted to the upper legislative chamber for screening.

President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki announced the screening date during plenary on Tuesday.

Three months ago, the Senate turned down the screening of Magu over an alleged security report by the Department of State Services (DSS).

However, the Senate had then given approval for the screening of the four members of the EFCC board whose names were sent alongside Magu by then Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo.

The DSS security report, among others alleged that the Acting EFCC boss is occupying a N20 million per year accommodation, allegedly rented for him by someone under EFCC investigation; lives a flamboyant lifestyle and flouted the President’s order against public officers flying first class when he went on pilgrimage.

But in a letter to the Senate in January, President Buhari re-nominated the anti-graft chief for the position.

Buhari in that letter cleared the EFCC acting Chairman as well as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal of every wrongdoing as alleged by the Senate. Lawal was alleged to have awarded contract to a company he has interest in, a case of abuse of office among other allegations.