Appellate Court Vindicates Saraki's Senate on Magu's Unlawful EFCC Tenure

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has asserted that the recent Court of Appeal judgment, which declared Ibrahim Magu's extended period as acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) illegal, validates the stance taken by the 8th Senate under his leadership. Saraki conveyed this message via a post on his X handle on Tuesday, reacting to the appellate court's decision concerning the legitimacy of Magu's prolonged service at the helm of the anti-graft body.

Saraki reminded the public that the 8th Senate had, on two separate occasions in 2016 and 2017, declined Magu's nomination to be the substantive EFCC chairman. Despite these rejections, the former EFCC boss continued to occupy the acting position until July 2020. This prolonged stay in office, even after the Senate's refusal to confirm him, subsequently led to a legal challenge, focusing on whether he could lawfully remain in an acting capacity for such an extended duration without Senate confirmation.

The former Senate President emphasized that the Senate's actions were not driven by political motives, as some had suggested previously, but rather constituted a fulfillment of its constitutional mandate. Saraki stated, "Back in 2016 and 2017, the 8th Senate, under my leadership, rejected Ibrahim Magu’s nomination as substantive EFCC Chairman not once but twice. Still, he remained in office illegally until July 2020, without confirmation by the Senate."

He further noted that the Senate’s decision at the time drew considerable backlash, with critics attributing it to political considerations. Saraki remarked, "At the time, some called our decision political. It wasn’t. We were simply exercising our constitutional duty and standing by what was right. My colleagues in the 8th Senate and I, as well as our families and associates, endured what I can only describe as attempts by Magu to terrorise us." According to Saraki, upholding the Senate's position came with significant personal and public repercussions.

Saraki highlighted that Monday’s ruling by the Court of Appeal has now firmly upheld the position adopted by the 8th Senate nearly a decade ago. He declared, "Yesterday, the Court of Appeal ruled that Magu’s prolonged tenure as acting EFCC Chairman was indeed unlawful. Nearly a decade later, I feel vindicated yet again."

Reflecting on these developments, Saraki underscored the importance of unwavering commitment to one's principles while serving in public office, even when such convictions attract opposition. He concluded, "For those of us who have had the privilege of serving this nation, the deepest lesson in all of this is that time may test one’s conviction, but it always ultimately reveals the value of standing on principle."