After it had rejected the nomination of Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, as the substantive Chairman of the anti-graft agency, the Nigerian Senate is revisiting the issue.
Minutes ago, the Senate read a letter sent to it by President Buhari re-nominating Magu as substantive Chairman of EFCC.
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, read the letter during plenary on Tuesday that began after a closed-door meeting.
It was earlier believed that the re-nomination of Mr Magu may have topped talks at the meeting, but the Senate President explained that the Senate simply discussed the issue of welfare of the Senate and National Assembly.
When Plenary began, the Senate President then read the letter from the President, re-nominating Mr Magu for approval as the Chairman of the EFCC.
In the letter, which was sent to the Senate on Monday, President Buhari explained that the nominee had satisfactorily clarified the allegation, which led to the earlier rejection by the Senate.
The President also rejected the recommendation of the Senate, asking for the removal of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation over allegation of corruption.
The federal lawmakers had in 2016 turned down the President’s request for the confirmation of Mr Magu who is currently the acting chairman of the anti-corruption body.
They cited security report by the Department of Security Services (DSS) which the Senate claimed indicted Mr Magu.
Meanwhile, the case filed by Lagos lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa asking the court to determine Mr. Magu’s status came up yesterday and was adjourned to February. Nigerians will be waiting for what the Senate may want to do with this issue this time around.
Mr. Magu should be confirmed if there is no concrete evidence on the allegation of corruption charges made against him. A person charged with corruption is not guilty until such an allegation is proven. If in fact his explanation is sufficient for the Senate, he aught to be confirmed.