Senate Has Power To Reject Magu As EFCC Chairman – Court Rules

Agency ReporterFebruary 1, 2018

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has said the Senate has the power reject Ibrahim Magu as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mr. Magu was nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari twice. In both times, the Senate rejected the nomination.

It based it stance on incriminating report from the State Security Service (SSS) against Magu.

Though the chairman of the Senate committee on media and public affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi-Abdullahi, briefed journalists in Abuja on Thursday on the ruling, HEADLINE gathered that the verdict of the court was made two weeks ago.

The Senate’s spokesperson said, “We are pleased with this judgment and we want to salute Nigeria’s judiciary for always rising up to the occasion to protect our democracy and deepen our democratic processes.”

While delivering judgement, Justice John Tsoho ruled that the EFCC was wrong in its assumption that the Senate was only there to confirm any choice made by the executive.

Tsoho further held that any impression that the Senate is a rubber stamp of Presidential appointees is misconceived and running contrary to Section 2(3) of the EFCC Act.

The judge said the Senate has the powers to ensure that only suitable persons are appointed to the position of chairperson for the anti-corruption agency.