"Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40 million and therefore can’t be EFCC chairman" — SENATE
Remember that Magu is the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), he needs senate confirmation to be substantive chairman.
Well, the Senate yesterday refused to confirm Ibrahim Magu as substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, upon a security report by the Department of State Services, DSS, sparking a verbal backlash from supporters of Magu.
The 14-paragraph confidential report said that Magu has failed the integrity test and that if confirmed, he could eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption drive of the administration.
The Senate, however, gave approval for the screening of the four members of the EFCC board whose names were sent alongside Magu by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo for confirmation in July while President Muhammadu Buhari was away on medical vacation.
The DSS security report, among others alleged that Magu 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. Some of the accusations were last night being pooh-poohed by associates of Magu.
Addressing journalists after a closed-door session, which lasted for about three hours, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi said that the rejection was based on security reasons.
Reading a prepared statement, Senator Abdullahi said: “The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to inform the general public that based on security reports available to the Senate; the Senate cannot proceed and confirm the nomination of Ibrahim Magu Mustapha as Executive Chairman of EFCC.
“Accordingly, the Senate hereby rejects the said nomination and has returned the said nomination to Mr. President for further action.”
It would be recalled that the Senate had last week deferred Magu’s confirmation hearing to yesterday.
Vanguard gathered that the 14 paragraph DSS report signed by Folashade Bello for the Director- General of DSS was read on the floor of the Senate by Senate President Bukola Saraki. Copies of the highly classified document were, however, not circulated to senators.
The report was dated October 3, addressed to the Acting Clerk of the Senate and titled, “ Re: Request for Security Vetting your letter NASS/CS/SA/01/16/08/1 dated September 21, 2016 requesting for the vetting of the Chairman and members of the EFCC.
The report said: “Investigating the Chairman nominee; Ibrahim Magu revealed that in August 2008, following a search at his residence during the tenure of Farida Waziri, AIG, retd, as a Commissioner, some sensitive EFCC documents which were not supposed to be at his disposal were with him. He was subsequently redeployed to the Police after days of detention and later suspended from the force.
“In December 2010, the Police Service Commission found Magu guilty of action prejudicial to State Security, withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorized removal of EFCC files, and acts unbecoming of a Police officer and awarded him severe reprimand as punishment.
“Notwithstanding, sequel to the appointment of Ibrahim Lamorde as Chairman of EFCC in 2011, he made the return of Magu to the EFCC a top priority. Both men had worked together at the Commission when Lamorde served as head of operations of the agency; Magu remained a top official of the Commission until he was appointed to succeed Lamorde.
“Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40 million at N20 million per annum. This accommodation was not paid for from the Commission’s finances.
“Investigations show that Magu regularly embarks on official and private trips through a private carrier, EasyJet, In one of such trips, Magu flew to Maiduguri alongside the Managing Director of a bank, who was being investigated by the Commission over complicity in funds allegedly stolen by the immediate past Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
“The EFCC boss so far maintained a hog pigs profile life style. This is exemplified by his preference for first class air travel. On June 24, 2916, he flew Emirates Airlines first class to Saudi Arabia to perform the less Hajj at the cost of N2,990,196.00. This is in spite of Mr. President’s directives to all public servants to fly economic class.
According to the report, in the classified and official documents:
“To cover his tracks, Magu uses solely his Police cronies to execute operations. This, coupled with discoveries that such Police cronies have acquired a lot of landed property lends credence to the questions about his integrity.”
In its submission, the DSS said, “in the light of the foregoing, Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti- corruption drive of the present administration.”
Earlier yesterday during the closed-door session, the Senate was sharply divided at the commencement of the session, with Senate Leader, Ali Ndume and Senator Dino Melaye exchanging strong words over the matter
While Ndume who is from the same Borno State as Magu was in support of the confirmation, Melaye was vehemently opposed to it.
The division was calmed after Senate President, Bukola Saraki was said to have told his colleagues that he had a report from the DSS on Magu.
Magu had arrived at the National Assembly and stayed in the office of the Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang.
All those who are currently fighting corruption in the country are all rogues and criminals including mr Buhari and his family
ReplyDeleteMAGU! not complying to the Senate binding. drop prosecuting saraki! that's why Senate cabal refused to confirm him!
ReplyDeleteU are occupying N40m rented residence which cost N20m per annum but if u see N2m for somebody's account u will invite the person for interrogation,hmmmm,thunder wey go fire u de do press up for sambisa forest.
ReplyDeleteKai. who will investigate and prosecute him now?
ReplyDeleteMagu will continue to be on acting capacity till d tenure of Buhari has expired.Magu fire on!
ReplyDeleteAre you guys Saying APC and PDP are against magu confirmation as EFCC chairman.it means that APC party that is fighting corruption is not clean. I wonder y you guys should condermns senate investigation on magu.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Corrupt judge Binta Nyako and her husband? The corrupt entity that was build in corruption will live in corruption.
ReplyDeleteBuhari is even more corrupt like Obasanjo
Comes 2019 there will be no PDP or APC as a winning party in Nigeria because nothing good have come from them mostly APC. We are coming out with brighter motive UYP ( United Youth Party) for better Nigeria
ReplyDeleteWho is the Nigerian Senate?? Nigerian Senate is the law makers in Nigeria made up of APC & PDP members so if the Senate is called corrupt for refusing magu meaning APC government and PDP is corrupt no one should be seen better
ReplyDeleteHe deserved to be jail for 20yrs and its among the reasons why senates disqualified him.
ReplyDeleteI hate baseless accusations that is popular in current administration... Snap that house, give details of payment, snap all evidence and display to the public... Y'all making it easy for these guys to debunk these allegations
ReplyDeletehahaa I dey great you mr magu for your duty as EFCC chairman. you are just like a lion on road, that is why elephant and other small animals are afraid of you. my Allah help you my Boss. and oneday you will be come a president for this nation
ReplyDeleteSo 40mil is not enough to start a building of your own, is the Magu cursed or the news is fake?
ReplyDeleteHis the one arresting ppl for corruption. His own is even the worst God punish satan
ReplyDeletemaster of corruption!!!!
ReplyDelete