'Buhari must sack Magu,' Lawmaker urges Senate to take action

He charged the Senate to take a decisive action on the retention of Magu as the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Melaye stated this on Friday, June 9, at the special session marking the second anniversary of the 8th Senate.

In his remarks, the Kogi lawmaker accused President Muhammadu Buhari of selectively applying the law by retaining Magu.

He made the statement in the presence of prominent guests at the special session.

The guests included two former Senate Presidents, Pius Anyim and Iyorcha Ayu; Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Walid Jibrin.

Others are the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; and wife of the incumbent Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki.

He said, "The persecution we went through in the first two years must not continue in the second half. Mr. President, in leading us in this second half, you must put on your seatbelt; it is dangerous to drive without a seat belt.

"Where we need to speak the truth as senators, we must speak the truth no matter whose ox is gored. We must begin to identify that there is a uniform law in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. No longer shall we allow the selective application of the law of the land.

"Mr. President (Saraki), we have passed some people on the floor of this Senate and these people that we have also disqualified by confirmation have been replaced by Mr. President (Buhari). That means that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, transparent Muhammadu Buhari, recognises the powers of the Senate to confirm.

"Why is Magu still in office? Mr. President, the truth is the truth. We should not have selective application of the rule of law. It is one law for everybody. I may be arrested immediately after this session; prison is built for people and not for animals. I am telling you, Mr. President, posterity will not forgive us when we keep silent in the face of lies and persecution. As a Senate, we must preserve the integrity of this institution."

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Magu's appointment as the substantive EFCC Chairman was rejected by the Senate based on an indicting report by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The lawmakers also asked Buhari to replace Magu, but the Presidency insisted the EFCC boss would continue to discharge his duties.