Buhari Presidency Says ‘No Knowledge’ Of Representation Of Magu To Senate

Some news reports on Monday, January 23, 2017 indicate that President Muhammadu Buhari has re-sent the name of Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, back to the Senate for confirmation.

In December, 2016, the Senate rejected Magu as the head the anti-graft commission on grounds of a State Security Services, SSS, report which indicted him for acts of corruption, conflict of interest, and close association with individuals being investigated for corruption by the EFCC.

But, the Nigerian presidency has distanced itself from reports.

The special assistant to the president on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Monday, said he was not aware of such letter.

Enang was reacting to media reports that the president, who is currently on a 10-day annual vacation, had sent a letter to the Senate insisting on the confirmation of Magu.

“You are about the third person calling me on this matter,” Senator Enang told NAN.

“I am not aware of that discussion and I don’t want to speak on the matter because I don’t have details,’’ he said.

It thereafter returned the nomination Magu to the president for further action.

The presidency had in July 2016 written the Senate, requesting the screening and confirmation of Magu as Substantive Chairman of EFCC.

Buhari appointed Magu as acting chairman of the EFCC after the removal of Mr Ibrahim Lamorde on Nov. 9, 2015.

Before his appointment as the acting EFCC chairman, Magu was the Head of Economic Governance Unit of the commission.

After the DSS report indicting Magu for and obscene lifestyle came to light, President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly ordered an inquiry into the DSS report by the Abubakar Malami, the federal attorney-general. Malami has reportedly submitted his report to the president.

There has been no update from the presidency on the saga till the reports came that while on his 10-day medical vacation, Buhari had returned the name of the tainted boss of the EFCC back to the Senate.

Additional reports from the News Agency of Nigeria.