The
rejection of Ibrahim Magu’s nomination as chairman of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission marked the end of months of delay by the Senate to
act on President Muhammadu Buhari’s request.
The Presidency requested the Senate to confirm Mr. Magu’s
nomination in July through a letter signed by Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo in
his capacity as the acting president when Mr. Buhari was away on a medical
trip.
However, since the letter was read by Senate President
Bukola Saraki on July 14, the Senate showed no readiness to act on it
until last week.
After failing to hold the confirmation hearing last week,
the Senate said it would screen Mr. Magu today, Thursday.
But indications that Mr. Magu would face difficulties
emerged Thursday morning during a meeting of the Senate leadership
ahead of the plenary.
There was disagreement over the mode of the screening.
While some Senators were for an open screening of Mr. Magu at plenary, some
were opposed to it, saying the EFCC nominees should rather be referred to the
Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption for screening.
Later, Dino Melaye and Senate Leader, Ali Ndume,
exchanged insults openly.
Due to the disagreement, the Senate was little over an
hour late to commence sitting. Then, the Senate dissolved into an executive
session which lasted over one hour.
During the executive session, Mr. Magu was invited into
the chamber and stayed “for about 15 or 20 minutes”.
But the Senators had already made up their minds, it
seems.
OMOJUWA
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