* Asks Buhari for replacement The Senate has rejected the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by President Muhammadu Buhari, citing security report by DSS. The Senate’s spokesperson, Aliyu Abdullahi, revealed this Thursday afternoon after the Senators had spent over one hour behind closed doors discussing the matter of Mr. Magu’s confirmation. “The Senate wish to inform the public that based on available security report, the Senate cannot proceed with confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. “The nomination of Ibrahim Magu is hereby rejected and has been returned to the President for further action,” Mr. Abdullahi said. The Senate had slated today, Thursday, to screen Mr. Magu, now acting EFCC Chairman. * Senators Ndume, Melaye in near fisticuffs over Magu’s confirmation The plan to conduct the screening of the Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, today is causing confusion at the Senate with two prominent lawmakers almost exchanging blows. Sources said that the usual pre-session meeting of the principal officers, which holds at the Senate President’s office, became rowdy as senators were said to have engaged themselves in a shouting match. A source who witnessed the clash said the Leader of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume and Senator Dino Melaye, who was alleged to be against Magu’s confirmation, specifically engaged themselves at the meeting and it almost degenerated into an exchange of blows. Although the screening had been listed on the Order Paper as part of activities at the chamber today, it is uncertain if the exercise will hold due to the latest development as the lawmakers are currently in a close-door executive session over the matter. Meanwhile, Magu, who reportedly arrived the National Assembly complex earlier in preparation for the screening is said to be holed up in the office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Senate. * Magu leaves Senate after rejection Crowd as Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu left the National Assembly Complex after his rejection. Magu alongside other nominees of the commission had stormed the Senate this morning for screening. THE INSIDER: Magu not confirmed because a ‘damning’ DSS report labelled him ‘corrupt’ The decision of the senate to reject the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was based on a security report by Lawal Daura, director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS). According to a senior national assembly official, “the damning” report was addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and Senate President Bukola Saraki. “The report is 16 pages and it is damning. It basically gives reasons why Magu is not fit to be EFCC chairman,” he said. “The acting EFCC chairman is alleged to possess undeclared pieces of property. He is alleged to be corrupt, and a gross violator of human rights.” The official concluded by saying “the senate cannot act outside the report”. Last Thursday, the senate had deferred the confirmation hearing Magu — after initially delaying the exercise for five months. In July, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had forwarded Magu’s name to the senate for confirmation. At the time, President Muhammadu Buhari was on a 10-day vacation in London. But the senate did not consider or confirm the appointment of the EFCC boss, fuelling speculations of cutthroat wrangling between him and some key figures in Buhari’s government who want him out of the way. He was to be screened alongside the board members of the anti-graft agency — Nasule Moses, Lawan Maman, Garandaji Imam Naji and Adeleke Adebayo Rafiu. Buhari appointed Magu in November 2015 to succeed Ibrahim Lamorde, who was removed as EFCC chairman under controversial circumstances. https://youtu.be/HtLg2bL2FLs]]>