Senators have remain unfazed by reports that the presidency may likely head to the Supreme Court to seek a judicial interpretation of Section 171 of the constitution, in a bid to resolve the impasse on the powers of the Senate to confirm the nominees of the president and by extension whether the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, can remain in office despite his rejection by the upper legislative chamber.
The executive arm and the Senate have been at loggerheads for months over the latter’s insistence that the executive must remove Magu, having been rejected twice during his confirmation process at the upper legislative chamber. The Senate’s rejection of Magu was based on a report from the Department of State Services (DSS), which had indicted him for alleged corruption and unprofessional conduct.
Giving a reason for the presidency’s refusal to remove Magu, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo had latched onto Section 171 of the constitution and stated that the confirmation of the Senate was not required for Magu’s appointment. A source said that the presidency was of the view that only a judicial interpretation of Section 171 of the constitution could either resolve or settle the matter once and for all.
But senators have welcomed its decision to take what they described as a bold step to lay the matter to rest, saying “If they want to go to the Supreme Court, that is fine with us. The presidency is just looking for excuses. At the end of the day, it is a win-win situation, let the Supreme Court rule on the matter so we can lay it to rest…It is good for both parties so we can settle the matter of Magu once and for all”.
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