The Nigerian Senate have demanded a new report on the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu from the Department of State Services who was cleared of corruption by President Muhammadu Buhari last week.
According to the lawmakers, the decision by the Senate was based on the DSS report, which accused Magu of corruption and malpractice.
The senators also sought to summon the Director General of the DSS to explain why the agency’s report indicted Magu while another probe by President Muhammadu Buhari cleared him.
The DSS had concluded in the security report that confirming the nomination of Magu by Buhari as EFCC chairman would cause a setback for the anti-corruption drive of the current administration.
According to Punch, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa (Imo North) said the DSS boss should tell the Senate the circumstances surrounding the report which indicted Magu.
He said, “I am of the opinion that the DSS should write us or the director general should be invited to come and either own up or reject the report. He should tell us why an agency would issue such a security report if its content wasn’t true.”
Senator Adesoji Akanbi (Oyo South) also said not only should the DSS issue another report to clear Magu, the secret service should apologise to the Senate for misleading the lawmakers.
The lawmaker pointed out that the same agency, whose report indicted Magu, should clear him. He recalled that every senator went through security screening before being sworn in, adding that a clearance by the agency was necessary to fully become a senator.
But Senator Danjuma La’ah (Kaduna South) said the Senate would work with the first report by the DSS, without asking for a new one to clear Magu.
He noted that the initial rejection of Magu’s nomination by the Senate was based on the first report. He said now that the President had told the Senate to continue with the confirmation process, the lawmakers would work with the only report sent by the DSS.
Also, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara South) pointed out that Buhari did not nullify the DSS’ report on Magu. He said the President only re-nominated the EFCC boss. He added that the President’s letter would be treated on merit, since he failed to include another security report to clear the nominee.
When contacted, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, however, declined to comment on the implication of Buhari’s letter on Magu’s confirmation. He said the Senate would subject the letter to legislative process and a decision would be taken on it.