Senate Suspends Confirmation Of EFCC Nominees

“If you look at the composition, Mr President some people will think that the fight against corruption is instituted against them. There is need to take people from other geo-political zones.”

The Anambra central lawmaker noted that the acting chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Magu; and the secretary of the commission, Olanipkekun Olukoyede, are from the north-east and south-west respectively.

Senator Umeh said the four nominees to be confirmed are neither from the south-south nor south-east.

Responding, Utazi said a committee set up to look at the president’s alleged lopsided appointments had “gone underground and refused to present a report”.

In a similar vein, a senator representing Abia south, Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the consideration of the nominees should be stepped down until it is amended.

Also speaking on the matter, Ali Ndume, a senator representing Borno south, said Utazi should have drawn the attention of the Senate leadership to the matter instead of bringing a report urging them to confirm the nominees.

At this point, both Utazi and Isah Misau, a senator representing Bauchi central, interrupted Ndume.

“We must not divide Nigeria,” Misau said. While Utazi was heard saying: “I have the floor, go and sit down.”

“You have a rowdy floor,” another senator said.

The chaos went on for about 10 minutes before and this prompted the lawmakers to go into a closed-door session abruptly.

When the lawmakers emerged from the closed-door session, Senate President Bukola Saraki announced that it had been agreed that the confirmation of the EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) nominees should be suspended for further legislative input.