Senate's rejection of anti-graft czar is humiliation for Buhari

Acting Chairman of Nigerias Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has been rejected by an overwhelming majority on the floor of parliament.

Magu has been serving in an acting capacity since 2015, following the unceremonious exit of Ibrahim Lamorde, his predecessor.

Magu's rejection is yet another fatal blow to President Muhammadu Buhari's efforts to rid his country of endemic graft, political analysts have said.

This is the second time in three months that the Senate has rejected Magu's nomination as the country's anti-graft czar.

Relying on security reports by the Department of State Security (DSS) in December of 2016, Senate spokesperson Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, had said:"The Senate cannot proceed with confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The nomination of Ibrahim Magu is hereby rejected and has been returned to the President for further action."

Among the accusations levelled against Magu by the DSS were that the acting EFCC Chairman was hobnobbing with the corrupt in Nigeria, "currently occupying a residence rented for N40M at N20M per annum. This accommodation was not paid for from the commission's finances, but by one air commodore retired, a questionable businessman who has subsequently been arrested by the secret service", some parts of the security report detailed.

However, a defiant Buhari re-submitted Magu's name for screening.

During Wednesday's confirmation hearing, a majority of the Senators cited a fresh security report and said Magu had failed "an integrity test".

"In the light of the forgoing, Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption drive of the present administration," the fresh letter from the DSS read.

It remains to be seen what President Muhammadu Buhari will do next in the face of what is undoubtedly a humiliation.

Political pundits say the President could deploy his prerogative powers, override the decision of the lawmakers and continue to deploy his embattled anti-corruption fighter to tackle official theft, in an acting capacity.

Or the President could embark on another round of rapprochement with parliamentary leaders to seek a soft landing for Magu in spite of his now tainted credentials.

The last alternative would be to yield to the voice of parliament and hand Magu the sack.

A school of thought suggests that Magu is the victim of vendetta from lawmakers, some of whom are being investigated by the EFCC for corruption related offences.

Senate's rejection of anti-graft czar is humiliation for Buhari

Acting Chairman of Nigerias Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has been rejected by an overwhelming majority on the floor of parliament.

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