Presidency writes Senate, seeks confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as EFCC chairman

The Presidency has written the Senate, seeking the screening and confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, read the letter, at the Senate plenary on Thursday.

The letter was signed by Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo in his capacity as acting President when President Muhammadu Buhari was in the United Kingdom on a 10-day medical vacation.

Mr. Buhari appointed Mr. Magu acting chair of the EFCC after the removal of Ibrahim Lamorde on November 9, 2015.

Mr. Magu, if confirmed by the Senate, will be the the fourth head of the Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, after Nuhu Ribadu, Farida Waziri and Mr. Lamorde.

Before his appointment as acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Magu was the head of Economic Governance Unit of the commission.

The letter read, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act of 2004 established the commission and makes it responsible among other things for the coordination and enforcement of all Economic and Financial Crime Laws and Enforcement functions conferred on any person or authority.

“Section 2 (1) of the Act also provides that the Commission shall consists of a Chairman who shall: Be the chief executive and accounting officer of the commission; Be a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of assistant commissioner of police or equivalent and Possess not less than 15 years cognate experience.

“Apart from other ex-officio members of the commission provided for in section 2. The Act also provides for four eminent Nigerians with any cognate experience of the following that is finance, banking, law and accounting. Section 2 (3) further provides that chairman and members of his commission other than ex-officio members shall be appointed by the president and the appointment shall be subject to confirmation of the senate.

“Section 3 of the Act provides that the chairman and members of the commission other than the ex-officio members shall hold office for a period of four years and maybe reappointed for further term of four years and no more.

“In view of the following, I hereby draw your excellency’s attention to the vacancy that existed in the EFCC. Having carefully considered eminently suitable qualified Nigerians for the vacant position. I am pleased to inform you of the appointment of the following and to propose them for confirmation of the Senate as provided by the EFCC Act.
1.Magu Ibrahim Mustapha, ACP- Chairman
2. Nasule Moses- Member
3. Lawan Maman- Member
4. Garandaji Imam Naji- Member
5.Adeleke Abebayo Rafiu-Member

“The curriculum vitae of the appointee are attached for the information of the distinguished senators. I hope the screening will as usual be carried out expeditiously by the distinguished senate.

“Please accept the assurances of my highest regards.

Professor Yemi Osinbajo
Acting President”