Anti-graft war: Senate to pass resolution against Magu- Source

.To ask Nigerians not honour EFCC’s invitation until Magu is removed

Apparently unhappy over Mr. Ibrahim Magu’s continued leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as the agency’s acting chairman, indications have emerged that the Senate has concluded plans to pass a resolution, asking Nigerians not to honour any invitation from the commission until Magu is removed.

A reliable source close to some of the lawmakers disclosed the development to The Daily Times on Tuesday night.
According to the source, the action has been perfected, saying that the matter would be put in place once the lawmakers resume from recess.

The source, who sought anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, said that the lawmakers viewed the continued stay of Magu at the EFCC as an affront over their power of confirmation.

He said: “Of course, the lawmakers are not happy about Magu. In fact, some of them are angry that despite his rejection twice, President Muhammadu Buhari- led Federal Government is still keeping Magu in office.

“I can also authoritatively tell you that Magu’s leadership of the EFCC is not acceptable and the lawmakers are going to take drastic decision when they resume from the recess.

“Well one of the options is to pass a resolution, asking invited persons on corruption allegations not to honour the invitation until Magu is removed”.

When asked if the action is not confrontational against Buhari, the source replied that the Senate is ready for the worst.

“The Senate is ready to assert its power and they are ready for the worst,” he said.

But The Daily Times gathered that the lawmakers are trying to intimidate Magu and pre-empt him from inviting of some of them who have been named in alleged involvement of corrupt-related activities.

It was further leant that the agency is about to conclude its investigations on the petitions against some former governors who are now senators. Some of the ex-governors turned senators are being prosecuted by the commission.

Meanwhile, former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah has honoured the invitation of the EFCC over his alleged involvement in procurement of arms deals.

The former COAS was sighted at the EFCC office at about 4.55pm on Tuesday wearing a blue jeans with a short-sleeve shirt to match.

Though details of his interrogations were sketchy at press time, it was gathered that Minimah was released after answering certain questions from the EFCC operatives.

In a related development, former Minister of Aviation and a sitting Senator, Ms Stella Oduah, is expected to visit the headquarters of the EFCC today (Wednesday) in order to honour the agency’s invitation.

The EFCC had invited Oduah following series of allegations contained in petitions against her including the alleged N9.5billion airport remodeling project.