Presidential aides block EFCC boss from seeing Buhari over Senate rejection

dimeji akinloye

December 18, 2016 1:14 PM

Magu was said to have attempted to see the President on Saturday night but was stopped by Buhari's aides who are against his confirmation.

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The Senate last Thursday rejected Magu's nomination as the substantive chairman of the anti-graft agency based on a security report by the Department of State Service (DSS) which accused Magu of abuse of office and corruption.

The DSS report said Magu's conduct since he headed the EFCC has shown that he will be a liability to the ongoing anti-corruption war if he is allowed to hold the office in full capacity.

"Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption drive of the present administration," the report said.

It was gathered that Magu attempted to see the President on Saturday night, December 17, but was blocked by some of Buhari's top aides.

The EFCC boss is said to be at loggerheads with of the Presidential aides.

Abba Kyari, the President's Chief of staff determines who sees Buhari and who does not.

ALSO READ: 'We may reverse EFCC boss' rejection' - Senate

However, Magu's rejection by the senate is said to be as a result of his power struggle with the Director General of the DSS, Lawal Daura, and some top aides of the President.

Punch cited Presidency sources to have said that Magu has written to Buhari on the issue, narrating his side of the story over the allegations the DSS leveled against him.

According to the sources, the acting EFCC boss defended himself in the letter and detailed his running battles with some of the president's closest aides.

It was learnt that the letter would be delivered to the President this week.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, had said the Senate may reconsider Magu if he clears himself of the allegation contained in the security report on him.

dimeji akinloye