The Senate on Thursday refused to confirm Ibrahim Magu as substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), based on a security report by the Department of State Services (DSS).
A 14-paragraph report signed by DSS Director-General, Folashade Bello, said that Magu has failed the integrity test and that if confirmed, he could eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption drive of the administration.
The DSS security report, among others alleged that Magu is occupying a N20 million per year accommodation, allegedly rented for him by someone under EFCC investigation; lives a flamboyant lifestyle and flouted the President’s order against public officers flying first class when he went on pilgrimage.
Magu was also accused of being in possession of EFCC documents in his private residence during the chairmanship of Farida Waziri.
The DSS also made reference to the circumstances surrounding Magu’s arrest, detention and suspension by the Nigeria Police.
It added that Magu’s current accommodation was not paid for from the commission’s account but by a presidential appointee, who had been under investigation.
The DSS alleged that after renting the apartment for Magu, the friend awarded a N43m contract for the furnishing of the accommodation.
The appointee, who is a retired air commodore, was said to be a close associate and ally of Magu, allegedly and “runs questionable business” and was once arrested by the service.
The report, which cleared the other four EFCC appointees, said Magu, flew a private jet owned by the retired military officer.
The service also claimed that the EFCC boss was once in the same flight to Maiduguri with the managing director of one of the new generation banks, who it alleged was under investigation.
It added that the bank chief had been linked with a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The acting EFCC boss was also accused in the report of making false allegations against individuals “for personal reasons.”
The report said, “The circumstances surrounding the return of Magu to the EFCC and the role played by (former EFCC Chairman Ibrahim) Lamorde and their close relationship are clear indications of his culpability in the allegation of corruption tendencies of the Lamorde-led EFCC.”
The DSS also alleged that “Magu uses only his police cronies to execute operations,” adding that the fact that the cronies had acquired landed properties “led credence to the questions about his integrity.”
The report added, “In this light, Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption drive of the present administration.”
Addressing journalists after a closed-door session, which lasted for about three hours, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi said that the rejection was based on security reasons.
Reading a prepared statement, Senator Abdullahi said: “The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to inform the general public that based on security reports available to the Senate; the Senate cannot proceed and confirm the nomination of Ibrahim Magu Mustapha as Executive Chairman of EFCC.
“Accordingly, the Senate hereby rejects the said nomination and has returned the said nomination to Mr. President for further action.”
