The Nigerian Senate on Thursday rejected the nomination of Alhaji Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
President Muhammadu Buhari had written to the Senate, wherein, he sought the confirmation of the nomination of Mr . Magu as Chairman and four others as members of the anti-graft agency.
However, the screening and confirmation of Mr. Magu has been placed on hold for 6 months by the Senate.
He was scheduled to be screened last week but was stood down. It was, however, slated in Thursday’s Order Paper to be screened and confirmed.
Briefing the Senate Press Corp after an executive session of the Senate, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Abdullahi Sabi said the nomination of Mr. Magu was rejected based on security reports available to the Senate.
“Based on security reports available to the Senate, the Senate cannot proceed to confirm the nomination of Ibrahim Magu Mustapha as the Executive Chairman of the EFCC.
“Accordingly, the Senate hereby rejects the said nomination and has returned the said nomination back to the President for further action,” Sabi said.
On his part, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki said the Senate would continue with the screening of other nominees, since the security reports did not concern them.
“The nominees are hereby referred to the Senate committee on Anti-corruption for screening,” Saraki added.
Those who shall be screened by the Senate standing committee as Members of the EFCC are Nda Sule Moses, Lawan Mamman, Galadanci Imam and Adeleke Rafiu.