Groups want security report indicting Magu made public

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Transparency International-Nigeria (TI) and Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC) have called on the Senate to make public the security report it depended upon to reject the confirmation of the Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.

The groups said reading the report in a closed session and using it to arrive at such far-reaching decision falls short of the expectations of the electorate that they represent in the exercise of their powers.

A statement signed by the Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa, in Abuja yesterday noted that the Senate’s reliance on a Security Report from the Department of State Services (DSS) as a reason for the rejection of the President’s appointee was very curious, adding that the lawmakers have the power of confirmation, as well as the right of recourse to relevant institutions for vetting.

They, however, called on the Presidency and the Department of State Services (DSS) to publicly state their positions on the unfolding issues so that Nigerians can have a clear picture of what is happening.

According to them, the position of the EFCC chair is a sensitive one and its occupant must be held to the highest level of integrity and credibility, adding that individuals and groups who hide under clandestine and unverified documents and reports to take decisions that could undermine the integrity of individuals and institutions at the forefront of the anti-corruption efforts would be a disservice to the nation and must not be allowed to stand.