Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said that the non-confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive Chairman of the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the action of the Customs Boss, Ali Hammed, cannot stop the Senate from discharging its constitutional responsibilities.
The Senate President, who made this disclosure during an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP Newspaper, said that the National Assembly is committed to the development of Nigeria, while urging the members not to misinterpret the Senate’s actions.
Recall, that Magu, who is currently Acting Chairman of the EFCC, had appeared for confirmation twice before the Senate, but was turned down on the two occasions.
However, some members of the public who consider Magu as a tough and thorough professional, see the Lawmakers’ action, as an attempt to cover up for some alleged corrupt members of the Senate.
In reaction, Saraki stated that the Lawmakers merely acted within their constitutional powers, adding that, it was a security report that nailed Magu.
“We need to stop this issue of blackmail. You must follow the process. Was it the Senate that wrote his report? The security report they gave Magu, was it manufactured by the Senate? The screening of Magu was live, we didn’t do it in the dark room at night? Everybody saw the performance.
“And lastly, they say because some Senators have cases with the EFCC. Yes, some Senators have cases with the EFCC, but these cases were made public even before Magu became the Chairman of the EFCC. So, is it Magu that made your case with the EFCC? Why will everybody hold that against Magu?
“I think that is propaganda. Most of these things should be based on facts. And I think we need to separate facts from things that are not true. So, my own view is that those views will change, because at the end of the day the views are not based on facts. I have given you fact. And the fact is that what is the responsibility of the Senate based on the Constitution? We are to make laws.”
Saraki, also spoke about the issue of Hammed Ali, saying the insistence of the Senate that he should appear before it in uniform, to clear some issues bothering on his office, was also in public interest.
