No Law Stops Buhari From Renominating EFCC Boss Magu

Reactions have started trailing Senate’s rejection of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, as the agency’s substantive chair.

The Upper Chamber’s action came exactly three months after it declined to confirm Presidency’s preferred nominee for the EFCC top job. It hinged its action on a DSS Report.

Now what's the way forward?

Reacting to the action, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) chairman, Prof Itse Sagay (SAN) said no law stops President Muhammadu Buhari from re-appointing Magu as EFCC’s acting or sending his name again to the Senate for confirmation.

According to him, it was possible that some senators were not comfortable with Magu due to his enthusiastic crusade against corruption.

Sagay said since the Senate only has a constitutional role to confirm and not to appoint, the person who has the right to appoint can do so again.

His words: “They know that Magu has been outstanding in the fight against corruption, and that his achievements have simply been extremely praiseworthy. He’s been consistent; he’s committed. He’s a man of high integrity and his productivity has been high.

“The only reason they will refuse to confirm him is that they decided to be perverse on this occasion for reasons best known to them. Probably it’s known to everybody.

“Maybe it’s because he’s just too good for the job, and a lot of people are uncomfortable with people like that who are committed and determined to root out corruption from the country. That’s what it is.

“They have done their own part of the job – very good. They don’t appoint, they merely confirm. So, the appointor will continue to appoint.”

Asked if Magu’s name could be re-submitted to the Senate for confirmation, Sagay said: “There is nothing stopping that. There is no provision in the EFCC Act that prohibits a man’s name being brought up again and again and again.”