AG PRESIDENT OSINBAJO ATTENDS AbujaIFFAR 9. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and Chairman PACAC, Professor Itse Sagay during the conference on promoting International Co-Operation in combating Illicit Financial Flows and Enhancing Asset Recovery to foster Sustainable Development in Nigeria held at the Banquet hall State House in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. JUNE 5 2017The Presidency in Nigeria has explained what the country’s Attorney General meant in comments he made on Wednesday regarding the fate of the anti-corruption agency’s boss.
CLARIFICATION
The Presidency said the comments by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, were taken out of context when he said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) did not decide to retain Ibrahim Magu, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, but the decision was solely taken by Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo.
The comments were interpreted by some online newspapers to mean that Mr. Malami was trying to distance the government from the retention of the EFCC boss, who had been rejected twice by the Senate.
WHAT MALAMI ORIGINALLY SAID
Mr. Malami was quoted as telling journalists on Wednesday after a cabinet meeting:
“The fundamental consideration about the alleged statement is the fact that at no point ever did the Federal Executive Council sit down to arrive at the decision in one-way or the other as far as the issue of nomination or otherwise is concerned.
“So, I do not think it constitutes an issue for the Federal Executive Council to make any clarification because it has never been considered by the FEC”.
PRESIDENCY SETS RECORD STRAIGHT
With the confusion swirling around over the possibility that Mr. Osinbajo was being isolated or that the government was divided, especially at a time President Muhammadu Buhari is said to be battling for life in London, the Presidency tried to quickly set the record straight.
On Wednesday night, the Presidency clarified that “the Attorney-General’s point is that decisions on Presidential nominations are matters for the Presidency and not the Federal Executive Council”.
CONTROVERSIAL APPOINTMENT
Magu’s appointment and re-appointment has been controversial. The Presidency has appointed him twice to head the agency in acting capacity but the Senate has rejected him twice also.
THEIR REASON
The Senate had relied on a report by Nigeria’s Secret Police, the Department of State Services, to reject Magu based on his lack of integrity, but for many Nigerians, the Senators are corrupt and want to do away with a strong anti-corruption crusader who has been recovering billions and prosecuting many mega thieves.
WAR AGAINST OSINBAJO
Senators at their plenary on Tuesday were said to have declared war against the Acting President for saying that he would re-appoint Magu even if he was again rejected by them.
“Since his appointment, Magu had enjoyed the confidence of both President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President Osinbajo,” the News Agency of Nigeria said.
According to the news agency, in April this year, Mr. Osinbajo explained why the government was backing Magu.
“I’m fully in support of Magu as the EFCC Chairman just as the president is…” Mr. Osinbajo said back then.
When asked about the Senate rejection of candidate Magu twice, Osinbajo replied:
“It is up to the Senate to make their judgement. If our candidate is rejected, …, we can represent our candidate.”