I am encouraged about Senate’s refusal to confirm me - Magu

macfranc007 March 03, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Omotayo Yusuf

- Magu said he is not bothered that the National Assembly has not confirmed him

- He said he is focused on his work on fighting corruption

- He said those criticising the president are sponsored by looters

The acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu has said that he is not bothered by the fact that the National Assembly has refused to confirm him as substantive chairman.

Magu has been in the capacity of acting chairman of the agency since his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari due the National Assembly rejecting him.

Magu however in an interview on a programme on Channels Television said he was not demoralised by the rejection.

He said: “I don’t think so. In fact, I feel a lot of encouragement. The fact that I am not confirmed shows that I am working. In the anti-corruption environment, if they rush to confirm you, it means you are not really doing your work properly.”

Asked why he has remained in the acting capacity for a long time, he said: “There are many people we are investigating who are members of the National Assembly.”

Magu also dismissed report that he was not confirmed due to the report by the Department of State Services.

He said: “I am not distracted. Rather, it pushes me; I am encouraged.”

The acting EFCC boss noted that the commission had helped the “Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to recover billions of naira from marketers.”

Magu also said those criticising President Buhari were sponsored by looters and dismissed insinuation that the fight against corruption is lopsided.

Meanwhile, vice-president Yemi Osinbajo said Magu is “going nowhere”.

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The Cable reports that the Senate has demanded the replacement of the anti-graft czar who failed its screening on two separate occasions but the presidency has allowed Magu to carry on with his job.

NAIJ.com gathered that to protest the refusal to sack Magu, the upper legislative chamber suspended the screening of nominees sent by President Muhammadu Buhari, an action which had effect on some key government decisions.

The EFCC stage a walk against corruption - on NAIJ.com TV