Magu’s confirmation controversy: Sagay, others knock AGF, El-Rufai says Magu’ll remain EFCC chairman



The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), has said going by the constitution, any minister, who openly disagrees with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, risks being sacked for insubordination.



Sagay said this in a statement on Thursday.

The PACAC chairman therefore berated the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), for taking a separate stance from Osinbajo over the refusal of the Senate to confirm the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu.

A few hours after Malami had said Osinbajo did not consult the Federal Executive Council before saying the executive did not need Senate confirmation for Magu to function, Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, described the acting President’s comment as a ‘‘personal opinion.’’

Malami, who is also the Minister of Justice, had, while briefing State House correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting on Wednesday, said Osinbajo’s statement that Magu did not need Senate confirmation was a personal opinion and not that of the body of ministers.

However, Sagay said Malami was out of order because the constitution stated clearly that the opinion or decision of the President or acting President was final and could not be questioned by any minister.

Also, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership believed those opposing the acting President could be saboteurs in the Presidency while a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Norrison Quakers, pointed out that a situation where officials of government disagree with the head of that government was dangerous.

Sagay explained that any minister, who openly disagreed with the President or the acting President, deserved to be sacked going by Section 5(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that executive powers of the Federation shall be vested in the President, not in the Executive Council of the Federation.

He argued that ministers and the FEC had no executive authority outside what was granted them by the President or Acting President.

The PACAC chairman, a senior advocate of Nigeria, added, “The Executive Council of the Federation, also known as FEC, cannot have views that are separate or different from those of the President, or where applicable, the Acting President; otherwise, that will constitute gross insubordination and misconduct that can lead to dismissal.

“Therefore, the slant being given to the statement of the Attorney General of the Federation, namely; that the Executive Council of the Federation is entitled to meet in order to express an opinion or view on a matter on which the President or Acting President has already expressed his views or opinions is wrong, misleading and totally unconstitutional.”

Also, the CACOL feared that there could be saboteurs in the Presidency, who were not comfortable with the fight against corruption and who would want Magu removed.

The CACOL Director, Debo Adeniran, said, “Some of those ministers appointed by President Buhari are those who will not support him to fight corruption hands down. There are several executives in the Presidency who will be sabotaging the bids of the President and the acting President.

“We know that the ascendancy of this administration to power rests on its readiness to fight corruption. The EFCC chairman has been able to demonstrate courage, standing eyeball-to-eyeball with people who feel they are larger than life.’’

In his reaction, another SAN, Mr. Norrison Quakers, said the development was not healthy for the polity as it portrayed the Federal Government as a house divided against itself.

Quakers stated, “Quite frankly speaking, this is not healthy for the polity; it strikes at the heart of our constitutional democracy.

‘‘Therefore, if he (acting President) expressed any opinion, it should not be seen as a personal opinion.

“This development portrays the Federal Government as a house divided against itself.”

Quakers, who recalled that even before Buhari proceeded on his medical vacation in the United Kingdom, he had, through his spokesman, stated that Magu would continue to act as the EFCC chairman.

He explained that Osinbajo’s position was not at variance with Buhari’s position.

He added, “As the Chief Law Officer of the nation, the AGF is not expected to toe any political line on any issues but to state the position of the law.

‘‘It is not healthy for a member of the Federal Executive Council to speak against the acting President, to say that what the acting President said was his personal opinion.”

However, a Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Dele Adeogun, said the differences between the executive and the legislature over Magu’s position should be subjected to judicial interpretation rather than for the legislature to say it would no longer screen any appointee sent to it by the executive.

Presidency to retain Magu as EFCC chair, says el-Rufai

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, on Thursday, declared that the Presidency had decided that it would retain Magu as the head of the EFCC.

El-Rufai, who represented Osinbajo at the inauguration of the Kaduna office of the EFCC, noted that as long as the President Buhari – led administration lasted, Magu would not be removed.

“I had a discussion with the President (Buhari) on the Magu issue. He said he has every confidence in the work that the commission, led by Magu, is doing, and as long as he (Buhari) is President, you (Magu) remain the chairman of the EFCC.

“For those who believe that Magu is their nightmares, he will remain there for the next two years. I spoke with the Acting President last night (Wednesday) and he affirmed what the President said,” el-Rufai said.

He added that he had recovered over N500m without making any noise from past government officials and contractors in the state, stating that the corrupt officials would be handed over to the commission for prosecution.

Magu, in his address at the event, called for the establishment of ‘special’ prisons for corrupt Nigerians at the Sambisa Forest, said to be the stronghold of the terror sect, Boko Haram, in the past.

He said this would be possible if only the judiciary would cooperate with the commission.

Magu said, “We want to call for the establishment of a prison in Sambisa Forest in order to keep away corrupt people from our midst.’’

FEC didn’t disown Osinbajo, says Malami

But the AGF, on Thursday night, alleged that his statement that Osinbajo’s comment on Magu was not the position of FEC, was distorted.

Malami said in a statement posted on the Facebok page of Aso Rock Villa on Thursday that he did not say that FEC disowned Osinbajo as reported.

He stated, “All matters relating to presidential appointments and nominations are strictly a matter for the Presidency to handle. They are not for the Federal Executive Council, and are therefore not discussed at FEC level. This was the point I made yesterday at the press briefing, and which was unfortunately distorted by the media.”


http://punchng.com/sagay-others-knock-agf-el-rufai-says-magull-remain-efcc-chairman/

Malami said in a statement posted on the Facebok page of Aso Rock Villa on Thursday that he did not say that FEC disowned Osinbajo as reported.

He stated, “All matters relating to presidential appointments and nominations are strictly a matter for the Presidency to handle. They are not for the Federal Executive Council, and are therefore not discussed at FEC level. This was the point I made yesterday at the press briefing, and which was unfortunately distorted by the media.”

A very cheap attempt at damage control. The attack on the acting president was well coordinated and Nigerians can easily read between the lines. The senate attacked him on Tuesday, the AGF attacked him on Wednesday in a manner never seen before and Garba Shehu completed the attack by reinforcing the exact statement that Malami is now claiming was distorted.

Whatever the case, the acting president cannot be cowed or bullied, he will remain the president until Buhari comes back to take over. Magu will also remain the acting chairman of EFCC until the presidency says otherwise.

This is the same AGF and Shehu that vehemently defended Magu when PMB was around. What has changed?............The hawks in the north has started their evil machinations of bullying Osibanjo out of ASO Rock by causing controversies and digging trap holes for him.....Please where are the Zombies? Have they lost their voices

I like Sagay he doesn't care about his job only the truth.... he has put the fool malami who should have properly contextualise his statement rather than speak in such a way that people can misrepresents. Any insubordination will lead to sack ... I don't hit gavel be that.

Be like Sagay stand for the truth.

It's evident where the future of Nigeria is in another 1year. Three pillars shaking and now the centre divided against itself.

I have no idea why the executhieves are hell bent on confirming magu as efcc boss! For crying out loud, magu is not the only "saint" we have in Nigeria. So they mean if magu is indisposed then the efcc would not function again? Fighting corruption is not an individual based job but an institutionalized based requirement. Putting one man at the fore front of this whole corruption fight seems fishy and suspicious.

While the last administration was strengthen institutions this present one is strengthen magu!
Indeed wonders shall never end, let's watch this movie to the end because at the end, the institutions last while the individual moves ahead.
This government never learns, they might end up removing magu after all this drama as they are known for going back to their vomits.

[s]

xcolanto:
I have no idea why the executhieves are hell bent on confirming magu as efcc boss! For crying out loud, magu is not the only "saint" we have in Nigeria. So they mean if magu is indisposed then the efcc would not function again? Fighting corruption is not an individual based job but an institutionalized based requirement. Putting one man at the fore front of this whole corruption fight seems fishy and suspicious.

While the last administration was strengthen institutions this present one is strengthen magu!
Indeed wonders shall never end, let's watch this movie to the end because at the end, the institutions last while the individual moves ahead.
This government never learns, they might end up removing magu after all this drama as they are known for going back to their vomits.

[/s]

Lies from the pit of cownu the last administration strengthened corruption and undermine institutions fighting it. This administration undermines corruption and protect those who fight it from an institution largely populated by corrupt persons

vedaxcool:
[s][/s]

[s]Lies from the pit of cownu the last administration strengthened corruption and undermine institutions fighting it. This administration undermines corruption and protect those who fight it from an institution largely populated by corrupt persons[/s]

Yawns!
Isn't it too early to sound utterly silly

[s]

xcolanto:


Yawns!
Isn't it too early to sound utterly silly

[/s]

Isn't too early to act utterly clueless?

Osibanjo should do away with these saboteurs to set an example, better stil he should go to OBJ for a crash course on how to deal with these criminals that parade themselves as leaders, mehn..! In cases like this kwankwaso comes to mind.

vedaxcool:
[s][/s]

[s]Isn't too early to act utterly clueless? [/s]

Yh! I thought as much it was indeed too early for you to display your disorders, little wonder you had to come back at a time the cow dung you inhaled has cleared off a bit.

seunmsg:


A very cheap attempt at damage control. The attack on the acting president was well coordinated and Nigerians can easily read between the lines. The senate attacked him on Tuesday, the AGF attacked him on Wednesday in a manner never seen before and Garba Shehu completed the attack by reinforcing the exact statement that Malami is now claiming was distorted.

Whatever the case, the acting president cannot be cowed or bullied, he will remain the president until Buhari comes back to take over. Magu will also remain the acting chairman of EFCC until the presidency says otherwise.

The Cabals are just trying to sample our opinion and reaction to see if the people are behind The Acting President. All their actions were planned and were being carried out just the way we are seeing it. It happened to Jonathan and the people stood behind him(tho he betrayed us).
The Vice President his capable and should be left alone to do his job until the President comes back. We have enough to deal with already. These people are less concerned about the masses and am worried.

factsandfigures:
This is the same AGF and Shehu that vehemently defended Magu when PMB was around. What has changed?............The hawks in the north has started their evil machinations of bullying Osibanjo out of ASO Rock by causing controversies and digging trap holes for him.....Please where are the Zombies? Have they lost their voices

bro,dis is not a tribal matter or north vs south matter.this is a fight against those that want to perpetually hold us down as a country n a people.have u heard of an ideology called buharism?.try n google it.

Sacked for insubordination to a mere commissioner abi minister for cordination.. the same sagay that defended Magu not long ago..
Una funny shaa..

the Agf is nothing but a fool. He ought to obey the office of the acting president instead he is proving how foolish he can be.

Categorically speaking he should be sacked and replaced immediately.

Buhari is the architect of this whole confusion.

How can you appoint and keep ministers and aids (e.g, Daura, DSS DG) who openly disagree with your direction.

The prayer we all need in Nigeria is to plead to our God to break the curse on the foundation of this mere geographic contraption called Nigeria.

He is correct.

These power drunken North cabal must be taught a great lesson they have never learnt. This same senario played out during GEJ era. The acting president should watched closely and act as a wise person. Everyone knows that the time of Buhari is up and that's why the cabal are fighting seriously to remain relevant. All of them will be flushed out sooner or later.

I agree with him..
Heads should begin to roll for insurbonation!
Your loyalty should lie with the Presidency and not the President.
He was hired by the Presidency and can be fored by the person of the President!

He needs to be sacked for insubordination.

This is the point where we hope baba should come back before Nigeria is completely finished.

seunmsg:


A very cheap attempt at damage control. The attack on the acting president was well coordinated and Nigerians can easily read between the lines. The senate attacked him on Tuesday, the AGF attacked him on Wednesday in a manner never seen before and Garba Shehu completed the attack by reinforcing the exact statement that Malami is now claiming was distorted.

Whatever the case, the acting president cannot be cowed or bullied, he will remain the president until Buhari comes back to take over. Magu will also remain the acting chairman of EFCC until the presidency says otherwise.

Gbam!

What is happening in Nigeriaya

Nigeria their country

Protesters are never good leaders , they are simply agitators!

They cry alot and when given an opportunity or faced with it they back out with excuses. The office of the President is not a personal one and people must learn how to speak.

The AGF was right when he said Vice President should have sort the permission of the Executive council before making such statement

These are the kind of attacks that eventually brought down the previous government. When members of an administration go rogue. It's time to look within.

Na dem sabi

seunmsg:


A very cheap attempt at damage control. The attack on the acting president was well coordinated and Nigerians can easily read between the lines. The senate attacked him on Tuesday, the AGF attacked him on Wednesday in a manner never seen before and Garba Shehu completed the attack by reinforcing the exact statement that Malami is now claiming was distorted.

Whatever the case, the acting president cannot be cowed or bullied, he will remain the president until Buhari comes back to take over. Magu will also remain the acting chairman of EFCC until the presidency says otherwise.

Correct!