- Asks Buhari to nominate Falana, Sagay, Williams
A non-governmental organization, the Salvage for Development Initiative has said that it would have been shocked to the marrows had the Senate confirmed Ibrahim Magi as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, adding that his rejection for the second time by the upper legislative chamber does not come to it as a surprise.
This was just as it also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to nominate either Femi Falana, SAN or Prof Itse Sagay or retired General Ishola Williams as the new chairman of the anti-graft agency
In a statement released and signed by its Executive Director and Secretary, Hon Peter Ajayi and Hammed Gafar respectively, SDI said, “When the leadership of the committee raised to confirm Magu’s candidature is equally considered, we knew that it would be much easier for the proverbial camel to pass through the eye of the needle than Magu sailing through the Senator Dino Melaye-led committee.
“Our expectations had been met, because we were solidly sure that no one would give a sword to another person for his/her own execution, which of course, the President did, knowing the antecedents of the leadership of the Senate.”
SDI said that President Buhari’s War Against Corruption is very much alive, but quickly added that it never expected the corrupt senators, especially those under the EFCC radar, headed by the same person seeking their approval to have a smooth ride.
It said, “Those being investigated will always want to do everything within their powers to frustrate the process. While others in the same camp with the rogues will be very supportive of the evil.
“For all we know, the senators want a simpleton as the head of the EFCC like someone who will always look the other way on their inequities.”
The NGO said that it had come to the realisation that the fight against corruption is a sensitive and requires creative and innovative mind, irrespective of ethinc background, adding that above all, “the head of an agency like the EFCC must be someone who lives above board and is exemplary unto others.”
While saying that Magu’s rigorous screening is tainted with prejudice and hypocrisy, because according to it, no other nominees of the President were ever so grilled by the senators, it also agreed that the questions put to Magu by the senators were relevant and legitimate, adding that if Magu couldn’t answer questions on the agency which he is the acting chair, then who else would?
“That reminds us the caliber, the intellectual capacity and ability, the erudition, and acumen of some of Buhari’s appointees. For example, what has the Attorney General, the Code of Conduct Tribunal Chair, the Ministers of Technology and Communications and Education, to name but few, have contributed to reform and reshape these important departments?, SDI said.
It added that while not being tribalistic, it has noted with consternation that past heads of the EFCC have always been from the Northern part of the country, it wondered why police officers of Northern extraction are the only ones qualified to be EFCC chair.
It also pointed out that there were other professionals, who studied criminal justice, law, but are not considered competent and suitable for the EFCC chair.
SDI also accused President Buhari of not taking into consideration the requirements of “federal character” in appointing people to sensitive federal agencies.
While averring that Magu was not the only candidate who can pursue the fight against corruption to logical conclusion, it said that considering the report as submitted by the DSS, which has indicted Magu in no small means, “we hereby strongly advice President Buhari to drop Magu’s name and possibly consider and nominate more respectable and acceptable no-nonsense anti-corruption crusaders such as Falana, Prof Sagay or retired General Williams as boss of the anti-graft agency.”
