AS the plot thickens to stop the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, from becoming the substantive chair of the Commission, three names have popped up as his possible replacements. They are a former boss of the anti-graft agency, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hamid Ali (rtd) and a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Amodu Ali, who is famous for investigating the $180million Halliburton bribery scandal.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the decision to prop up their names was part of the grand plot by the powerful forces opposed to Magu to stop his re-nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari. More names might also be propped up in the next few days. But the Transparency International- Nigeria and some civil society groups yesterday protested non-confirmation of Magu by the Senate.

The TI and others described the security report upon which the Senate based its decision as “curious.” A top source said: “These forces do not want Magu re-nominated by the President when the Senate returns from Christmas break. “This is why they have recommended some people (at least three for now) who have impeccable integrity like Magu as the next substantive chairman of EFCC.

“These are the Comptroller- General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hamid Ali (rtd), a former Chairman of EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Amodu Ali who investigated the $180million Halliburton bribery scandal. “But President Buhari is just listening to arguments for and against Magu. The ball is in the court of the President.” There were however fears last night that these forces might go to court if Buhari re-nominates Magu.

They are trying to hang on to the report of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) to seek some ambiguous reliefs in court.” It was also learnt that pro- Magu sympathisers are also pressing buttons to have the ears of the President to stick to the Acting EFCC chairman. Another source added: “Representations have been made in the last 24 hours to those close to the President to insist on Magu. “Those sympathetic to Magu actually approached an influential governor to intercede and let the President get a second opinion on the DSS report.

“This situation is dicey as I talk to you because both sides are embroiled in intense politics of survival. “Those against Magu were busy yesterday celebrating that they have boxed the Acting EFCC chairman to a corner.” Apart from Transparency International, other civil society groups who protested against non-confirmation of Magu by the Senate yesterday include Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Zero-corruption Coalition (ZCC) They made their position known in a statement by the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani).

The statement said: “The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Transparency International-Nigeria (TI) and Zero-corruption Coalition (ZCC) express concern at the circumstances surrounding the nonconfirmation by the Nigerian Senate of Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), upon his appointment by the President.

“We find it worrisome that the confirmation of the head of such a strategic anti-corruption agency is taking such a long time, having been first appointed in November 2015, and worse still at a time when the nation is reinvigorating the fight against corruption. “CISLAC, TI- Nigeria and ZCC wonder if there is more to the unfolding events than meets the eye. “We are further alarmed at the circumstances preceding the last session in which the Upper Chamber failed to confirm the appointee.

“The fact that the session was preceded by a rowdy sitting and the Senators resorted to a closeddoor session further highlights the lack of transparency in the confirmation process. “We find the Senate’s reliance on a security report from the Department of State Services (DSS) as a reason for the rejection of the President’s appointee very curious.

“While we acknowledge that the Senators have the power of confirmation as well as the right of recourse to relevant institutions for vetting, this must be applied strictly for public good and in very transparent and accountable manner. “CISLAC, TI and ZCC therefore call on the Senate to make public the security report it depended upon to reject the confirmation. “Merely reading it out in a closed session and applying it to arrive at such far reaching decisions fall short of the expectations of the electorate that they represent in the exercise of their powers.

“We call on the DSS to publicly confirm that they are the source of the report in question and authenticate the content for the Nigerian Public to know. “Considering that the DSS is also an agency in the executive arm, it should indicate if the report was also shared with the President who appoints the EFCC chairman. This is to ensure that it is discharging its functions as expected by law and procedure.

“We call on the Presidency to publicly state its position on the unfolding issues so that Nigerians can have a clear picture and draw their own conclusions as public support is crucial to a successful fight against corruption. “The position of the EFCC chair is a very sensitive one and its occupant must be held to the highest levels of integrity and credibility.

“A situation where individuals and groups hide under clandestine and unverified documents and reports to take decisions that could undermine the integrity of individuals and institutions at the forefront of the anti-corruption efforts will be a disservice to the nation and must not be allowed to stand.

“We notify the Senate that their inability to come clean on these would only fuel the perception that their failure to confirm the appointment of the EFCC chairman who has acted for one year is linked to their personal and selfish desire to protect themselves and scuttle the fight against corruption of which several of their members have been beneficiaries. “We urge all well-meaning Nigerians and the media to kick against all manners of unjust decision or resolution by the Nigerian Senate to sabotage the on-going anti-corruption fight in the country

sarrki:
Won't be a bad idea

Who is replacing Lawal babachir?

It needs to happen before the new year

He should be advice to resign

Or else he will be humiliated

bigFOOTcaveMAN:

Magu and baba-chair aint going no where!
They are saints ... keep wailing

sarrki:


They must leave ooo bro

Very wicked and heartless man is babachir

He committed same offense as far as am concerned

With dasuki.

The most painful part is this man claimed to be a pastor

bigFOOTcaveMAN:

These are spurious allegations to taint baba's government. No amount of blackmail will make baba cede an inch of ground. We are solidly behind baba. Anything he does is ok by us and ordained by Allah.
Prof segey has made it clear that magu stays, wheither senate likes it or not. Even baba-chair remains a chairman till a competent court of law decides otherwise.
I suggest you stop wailing for your health or are you a pained ipob youth.

SAI BABA till 2023!
Baba can NEVER DO WRONG.
My Buhari knows the best for us all

sarrki:

Apart from Transparency International, other civil society groups who protested against non-confirmation of Magu by the Senate yesterday include Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Zero-corruption Coalition (ZCC) They made their position known in a statement by the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani).
The statement said: “The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Transparency International-Nigeria (TI) and Zero-corruption Coalition (ZCC) express concern at the circumstances surrounding the nonconfirmation by the Nigerian Senate of Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), upon his appointment by the President.

bigFOOTcaveMAN:

These are spurious allegations to taint baba's government. No amount of blackmail will make baba cede an inch of ground. We are solidly behind baba. Anything he does is ok by us and ordained by Allah.
Prof segey has made it clear that magu stays, wheither senate likes it or not. Even baba-chair remains a chairman till a competent court of law decides otherwise.
I suggest you stop wailing for your health or are you a pained ipob youth.

SAI BABA till 2023!
Baba can NEVER DO WRONG.
My Buhari knows the best for us all

Firefire:



Sai Barber!

bigFOOTcaveMAN:

Magu and baba-chair aint going no where!
They are saints ... keep wailing

sarrki:


There is difference that you are in opposition

To make the system work,

The wailers are not in opposition they are enemies

Of Nigeria.

They want everything to crumble just because a PhD

Zoology is from their side or they benefited one way or

the other from the loot.

God bless you muhammadu Buhari

God bless federal republic of Nigeria

bigFOOTcaveMAN:

Now you talking ... why speak greek b4 now!
We all love bubu to the death!
Why dont we submit our wives to him?
Bubu is Allah sent to save the world.
Never you attempt wailing again e hear?

sarrki:


One other thing with wailers is they are confusionist

You call an advice wailing

God forbid I have the hatred embedded in wailers heart

bigFOOTcaveMAN:

Now you talking ... why speak greek b4 now!
We all love bubu to the death!
Why dont we submit our wives to him?
Bubu is Allah sent to save the world.
Never you attempt wailing again e hear?

bigFOOTcaveMAN:

Ok, now i know we on same page ... two of a kind. We both ready to die for buhari.
One love, comrade!

sarrki:


I know how painful one will feel if free money is not flowing in anymore .

That is the great sin president buhari committed before

Wailing wailers

bigFOOTcaveMAN:

Exactly my point!

sarrki:


Too bad brother

The truth is affliction shall not rise for the second time

No more free money

The Era of waste of money is gone

sarrki:
Won't be a bad idea
Who is replacing Lawal babachir?
It needs to happen before the new year
He should be advice to resign
Or else he will be humiliated

bigFOOTcaveMAN:

So true dearest brother .... welcome to the era of lack of money!
The era of hopeless recession ... thank our stars that we both immune to it all.

Sigh baba till thy kingdom come!

bigFOOTcaveMAN:

Ok, now i know we on same page ... two of a kind. We both ready to die for buhari.
One love, comrade!

sarrki:


There is difference that you are in opposition

To make the system work,

The wailers are not in opposition they are enemies

Of Nigeria.

They want everything to crumble just because a PhD

Zoology is from their side or they benefited one way or

the other from the loot.

God bless you muhammadu Buhari

God bless federal republic of Nigeria