The Presidency is, all things being equal, re-present Ibrahim Magu for confirmation as substantive chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC].
The move is coming despite a daunting report by the Department of State Security [DSS] and rejection by the Senate twice.
The disclosure was made by the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo while speaking with journalists at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.
He spoke after the expiration of two weeks ultimatum given by Senate to protest continuous retention of Magu as Acting chairman of the anti-graft agency.
Speaking, Vice-President Osinbajo declared that President Muhammadu Buhari is satisfied with the activities of Ibrahim Magu, who is steering EFCC in acting for over a year.
He said: “I agree with Mr Falana that there was no need in the first place to have sent Magu’s name to the senate.
“But we did so and it was rejected by the Senate, but I believe that it can be re-presented.
“I don’t think there is anything wrong about the fact that Senate has rejected him.
“Senate has acted in its own wisdom to say ‘No, we don’t want him’, and we can say, ‘This is our candidate… we like the gentleman and we want him to continue.”
He added that allegations against the EFCC boss by DSS have been refuted by Magu in his response to the allegations.
He noted that Mr. President could have interfered with the DSS report if he wanted to, but that Buhari decided to hear Magu’s own account.
Haven heard him out, he felt convinced to retain the anti-graft czar.
Osinbajo added that Presidency is fully in support of Ibrahim Magu, of Magu as anti-graft boss.
“He then decided to retain Magu as the nominee for EFCC. I don’t see any reason why that should be contested.
“He said ‘I don’t think the DSS report is meritorious enough to withdraw his nomination.’
“The president reserves the right to say, ‘this is who I want’. I’m fully in support of Magu as the EFCC chairman just as the president is.”
It could be recalled that DSS released heavily-loaded blistering reports on corruption activities of Magu.
The DSS, amongst other things, requested the Senate to reject Magu’s nomination following which the Senate, on two occasions, turned him down.
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