Femi Falana (SAN) has said the Senate can remove acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, only if Senate President Bukola Saraki becomes the Acting President.
The human rights lawyer said this on Thursday in response to the war of words between the Senate and the Presidency over Magu’s position.
In his statement, he said, “In view of the foregoing, the implementation of the resolution of the Senate on the removal of Mr. Ibrahim Magu as the acting Chairman of the EFCC should be ignored by the Presidency on account of its apparent illegality.
“However, the distinguished senators who are desperate to institutionalise official corruption and impunity in the country by removing Mr. Magu from office may have to wait for the planned installation of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki as the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!”
There were rumours flying around this week that the Senate might be trying to impeach current Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and install Saraki in his position.
The appointment of acting boss of the anti-graft agency has been rejected by the upper chamber on two separate occasions.
This week, lawmakers decided to neglect to honour any nomination sent to it by the presidency until the powers of the legislative arm are acknowledged.
This was after Femi Falana said some executive appointments did not require legislative approval based on Section 171 of the Nigerian constitution.
Yesterday, July 6, 2017, he backed Magu, describing him as a “nightmare for corrupt people”.
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