The State Security Services (SSS) sent two different and contradictory "security" reports to the senate on the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
While both reports stated that Mr. Magu had some “integrity issues”, they differed on the actions they suggest the upper chamber take on the confirmation of the EFCC boss.
According to Premium Times, one of the reports suggested that clearing the anti-corruption fighter would spell danger for the administration’s anti-graft war.
The other described Magu as having performed excellently so far, and should therefore be favourably considered for the post of substantive chair of the EFCC.
Three senators told PT in separate interviews that the two reports were dated October 3, 2016, with one addressed to the acting clerk of the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, and the other to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Ita Enang.
The two reports were also signed by the same official, Folashade Bello, on behalf of the Director General of the SSS, Lawal Daura.
The two documents were sent to the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki.
The senators, who requested not to be named so they are not accused of divulging proceedings at a closed session, said both letters were read to lawmakers during the executive session held to decide the fate of Mr. Magu last Thursday.
“The two letters contain almost the same allegations against Magu,” one of the senators said. “But they are different in the recommendations made.
“While the report addressed to Ita Enang was dated August 25, 2016, the one to the acting clerk was dated September 21, 2016. But both were signed by the same Folashade Bello on behalf of Daura.”
Another Senator disclosed that in the letter written to Mr. Enang, the SSS stated that “although they found some adverse things in relation to Magu, he should be cleared given his excellent performance. They said he should be given the chance to run the commission,” he said.
However, the senator said, the same SSS in the report addressed to the acting clerk about a month later asked the Senate not to confirm Mr. Magu.
“That other report concluded by saying Magu is integrity-challenged and will constitute a liability to the anti-corruption stand of the Buhari administration,” he said. “We can’t understand why the SSS cannot get its act together to issue a single report and make the same recommendation.”
A third senator told PT the Senate decided not to confirm Magu because of the contradictory reports.
“It is our position that given the two confusing reports, it is only the president that can decide whether he still wants the man to run the EFCC or not. The ball is in his court,” he said.
A fact-check of the allegations against Magu by PT indicate they were largely false.
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