Daily Trust

Saraki to read letter on Magu’s renominati­on today

- By Ismail Mudashir

Barring minutes change, Senate President Bukola Saraki will today read President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter, re-nominating the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu for confirmati­on as substantiv­e chairman of the commission. last

Sources told our correspond­ent that the President’s letter had been sent to the Senate President.

While one of the sources said the name of Magu who was rejected in December by the Senate was resubmitte­d by President Buhari alongside his vacation notice, another said it was submitted on Sunday.

The source said the President submitted two letter one on Magu and the other on Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal. The president pleaded with senators to reconsider their positions on Magu.

“As I’m talking to you, the two letters are with the Senate President. They will be read on the floor today, “he said, pleading anonymity.

Babachir was indicted by a panel of the Senate, chaired by Senator Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna) over misappropr­iation of funds of the Presidenti­al Initiative on North East (PINE). The Senate requested for the sack of the SGF.

Magu was rejected over the report of the Department of State Services (DSS) that indicted. The rejection of Magu by the Senate led to removal of Senator Ali Ndume as Senate leader.

Ndume had faulted the rejection of Magu who has been acting as the EFCC boss since November 2015 when Ibrahim Lamorde was removed.

The request for Magu’s confirmati­on was first submitted to the Senate in June last year by Vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo when he was acting President.

A ranking Senator said he was told before President Buhari travelled out of the country that Magu’s name had been resubmitte­d.

“My friend in the Villa jokingly told me that Buhari’s communicat­ion on Magu’s renominati­on had been sent to us. I haven’t seen it,” he said in a phone interview.

Contacted the spokespers­on of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said he had no idea about the letters.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Nigeria