Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), on Wednesday disclosed that Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Senator Danjuma Goje, Senator Godswill Akpabio and other senators who are under the investigation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are not eligible to screen the Acting Chairman of anti-graft agency, Ibrahim Magu.
This was contained in a statement issued by Falana on Wednesday after the rejection of Manu’s nomination as the substantive chairman of the EFCC by the Senate.
Although Falana did not mention the names of the senators in the statement, he said senators facing corruption charges are not eligible to screen Magu.
According to him: “The participation of many senators who are either under investigation or being prosecuted by the EFCC has vitiated the entire proceedings of the Senate on ground of conflict of interest.”
Saraki is currently facing trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal in a case being handled by the EFCC.
Likewise, Goje is in court for corruption allegation.
The statement by Falana reads: “The rejection of the nomination of Mr Ibrahim Magu as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) this afternoon by the senate on the basis of a security report compiled by the State Security Service is the height of official ridicule of the office of the president.
“It is high time the State Security Service was restrained by President Buhari from sabotaging the fight against corruption by the federal government.
“With respect to the senate the confirmation hearing hurriedly conducted today is illegal in every material particular. The participation of many senators who are either under investigation or being prosecuted by the EFCC has vitiated the entire proceedings of the senate on ground of conflict of interest.
“It is also a contravention of the rules of the senate which stipulates that matters which are sub judice shall not be discussed by the senate.”
