Magu: Senators declare war against Osinbajo

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday drew a constitutional battle line against Nigeria’s Acting President Yemi Osinbajo over Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The Senators unilaterally agreed yesterday to suspend all confirmation requests from the executive until Acting President Yemi Osinbajo respects the decisions of the legislature.

One of the decisions was the non-confirmation of Magu twice by the senate. Senators now wanted Magu sacked immediately.

In a four-prayer motion unanimously adopted by the lawmakers, the Senate frowned at a statement credited to the Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo that the Senate had no power to confirm the chairman of the EFCC.

The Senate made the decision after Senator Ahmed Sani made motion following a letter requesting the confirmation of Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila as Director General of the National Lottery Commission.

With particular reference to the rejection of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, the Senate insisted that the Executive must respect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or go to court to seek a redress.

The upper legislative chamber stressed that it was an illegality for Magu to still be parading himself of the chairman of the Commission after being rejected by the body constitutionally empowered to approve or reject his appointment.

The Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was credited as saying that the Senate does not have power to reject the appointment of Magu as Chairman of EFCC.

The Senate therefore frowned at the comment credited to the acting president and approved the following prayers:

“That the Senate suspends all issues relating to confirmation of nominees from the executive until all issues of confirmation as contained in the constitution and laws of the Federation are adhered to.

“The Acting President must respect the constitution and laws as it relates to confirmation of appointments.

“The Acting President should immediately respect rejection of nominees by the senate yes.

“The Acting President should withdraw the statement credited to him that the Senate does not have the power to confirm certain nominees,” the Senate approved.

This is the second time the senate is taking a resolution against the executive for its refusal to adhere to the rejection of Magu and the Chairman of the EFCC.