Magu : Makarfi advises Senate to grant Buhari’s request

THE National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),  Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has advised the Senate to look at the merit of confirming  the acting Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Magu as solicited by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He made this known in a statement made to Sunday  Tribune in Kaduna on Saturday Makarfi  explained: “first of all, my take is that any nominee of the President for any office, except on strong legal and moral basis, the Senate should consider and approve such a name.

“The Senate is not to select for the President who he wants to work with. When you look at legal issues, you also look at strong moral issues, if you cannot find such against the person; whether you like him or not, it is the choice of the President such a person should be confirmed.

“Coming specifically to the issue of the acting EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu, my candid opinion is that after all that has happened from the returning of the name to the presidency based on whatever reports, the president setting up an internal investigation process; if really the president is convinced that there is no ground to withdraw his name, my candid opinion to the Senate is to set things aside and consider him on the basis of the merit of his capabilities and approve the president’s nomination”.

But, Makarfi argued:  “ If there are issues that the Senate has concerns about, on the ways EFCC is performing its duties in respect of whatever matter, the confirmation avenues should take up such and sort issues out.

‘ For example, if the Senate is of the view that there are some processes which are basically bias or politically tainted they should confront the nominee during the nomination process, get explanation for such practices and where he is wrong and he cannot defend the issues involved and there and then, corrective measures can be taken. Nobody is perfect”.

“I have pointed out some of the things that are in my opinion are wrong. A lot of names that are being called in respect of arms issue. I said there is no way they could have known where that money came from.

‘Somebody that could not have known where that money came from, you can’t start treating such a person as a criminal. May be someone that may not even have the money to transport himself to where they are being called to be reporting, you are saying you are looking for money from him”.

“And funding of campaigns by the center, it has been going on since 2003. It is a common occurrence, I mean the fact that it happened in 2015, couldn’t have alarmed anybody.

‘ But, surely some people must have known where the money came from. The people must have known it was wrong”.

“ You know, on the basis of the strength of evidence available to theauthorities can consider and take the measures they want to take. But, majority of the people couldn’t have known where the money came from.

‘These are some of the issues I will expect the Senate to clarify and sort out with the nominee, when considering his nomination”.

“As far as PDP is concerned if Magu’s name is re-submitted, I will urge them not to politicize his nomination, rather to take him on