Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has said the Senate does not have the right to order the removal of the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu.
Falana also called on the presidency to approach the Supreme Court over the refusal of the upper legislative chamber to confirm Magu as substantive chairman of the anti-graft agency.
He made this known in a statement he jointly signed alongside other activists including Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, Lanre Suraj, Anwal Rafsanjani, and Ezenwa Nwagwu.
”While the dispute over the budget had yet to be resolved, the Senate passed two controversial resolutions. The first resolution directed the Acting President to remove the acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, from office.
”In a bid to ensure that the resolution was implemented, the Senate decided to put on hold any appointment which requires the confirmation of the Senate. Without mincing words, the Presidency has rejected the call for the removal of Magu.
”The executive is advised to seek judicial resolution of the stalemate over the confirmation of Magu’s appointment as the substantive chairman.
”Meanwhile, we assert that the Senate cannot annul his (Magu) acting appointment since his appointment was without the consultation with or confirmation of the Senate,” the statement read.
