Ndume, Melaye in near fisticuffs as Senate rejects Magu’s nomination

Nigerian Senate on Thursday 15^th declined to confirm the appointment of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

President Muhammadu Buhari, had in November 2015, appointed Magu as the Chief of the Anti-Graft Agency in acting capacity.

The rejection by Senate which was anchored on unfavourable security report from the Secret Police, DSS, followed w eeks of postponement of the screening of Mr. Magu.

Meanwhile, Senate Leader Ali Ndume and the vocal chairman of the committee of FCT, Senator Dino Melaye, created a scene as they came close to fisticuffs in the office of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

While Ndume, who is from the same Borno state like Mr. Magu favoured his confirmation, Melaye, a close ally of the Senate President opposed it.

An Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Magu, replaced former EFCC boss, Ibrahim Lamorde.

It will be recall that President Buhari, in a letter to the Senate in July 2016, sought confirmation of Mr. Magu alongside Mr. Ndasule Moses, Lawan Mamman, Galadanci Imam, and Adeleke Rafiu as members of the commission.