The Senate has powers to determine who heads the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a Federal High Court Judge in Abuja, Justice John Tsoho, declared two weeks ago; but his ruling came to light on Thursday.
Said Tsoho: “The plaintiff (A lawyer, Oluwatosin Ojaomo) raised two issues in the written address for determination, to wit: Whether or not the 1st defendant (Saraki) can reject a valid statutory appointment made by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Office (of the Chairman) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in accordance with the provisions of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.
“Whether or not the 1st defendant is bound by the provisions of the EFCC Act, 2004, with respect to the confirmation of any appointment made by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Office of the Chairman of the EFCC.”
Tsoho ruled that the Senate President and the Senate had the powers, effectively justifying the rejection of Ibrahim Magu as Chairman twice by the Senate based on a Department of State Services (DSS) report that Magu was not fit for the office.
Evidently just coming in possession of the court ruling, Senators were in a joyous mood Thursday as the Senate spokesman, Aliyu Dhabi, declared the Upper House had been justified by the court decision.
The face-off over Magu remains at the centre of the Senate decision not to consider list of appointees from President Muhammadu Buhari for months.