UPDATED: Senate refuses to confirm Magu as EFCC chairman

UPDATED: Senate refuses to confirm Magu as EFCC chairman

After an hour of deliberation the Nigerian Senate has rejected the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The upper chamber rejected President Muhammadu Buhari's nomination based on the security report sent by the Department of State Service (DSS).

Daily Trust reports that the DSS has advised the Senate against confirming Magu.

BREAKING: EFCC chairman’s confirmation causes row in Senate
BREAKING: EFCC chairman’s confirmation causes row in Senate

Aliyu Abdullahi, the Senate’s spokesperson, on Thursday, December 15, revealed this after the Senators met behind closed doors discussing the matter of Magu’s confirmation, Premium Times reports.

He said: “The Senate wish to inform the public that based on available security report, the Senate cannot proceed with confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

READ ALSO: Presidency, Senate frustrating Magu’s confirmation

“The nomination of Ibrahim Magu is hereby rejected and has been returned to the President for further action.”

However, the Senate confirmed the nomination of the other 4 members of the EFCC and referred them for further security screening.

The plans to screen the acting chairman of EFCC had earlier caused confusion today, December 15, at the Nigerian Senate.

According to The Punch, the usual pre-session meeting of the principal officers, which holds at the Senate President’s office, was rowdy as senators were said to have engaged themselves in a shouting match.

A source who witnessed the clash said the Leader of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume and Senator Dino Melaye, who was alleged to be against Magu’s confirmation, specifically engaged themselves at the meeting.

READ ALSO: Senate now to hold EFCC boss Magu screening on December 15

The screening of the EFCC boss and four other member-nominees of the commission was earlier moved from Thursday, December 8 after about five months of their nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was reported earlier that some forces within the Presidency are said to be against Magu’s emergence as the EFCC’s chairman and the Department of State Service (DSS) is also said to be a collaborator in the scheme to edge out the anti-corruption czar through a damning security report it has sent to the Senate against Magu.

Source: Legit.ng

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