Lawyer Asks Court To Restrain Magu From Posing As EFCC Chairman

A lawyer and rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has urged a Federal High Court in Lagos to restrain Ibrahim Magu from parading himself as acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).In his new suit filed on Monday, Adegboruwa is also asking the Senate not to entertain any further request for the confirmation of Magu as EFCC Chairman.The defendants in the suit are The Senate, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the EFCC and Ibrahim Magu.In a 39-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Adegboruwa, he traced the appointment of Magu back to Nov. 9, 2015, contending that he had been functioning in acting capacity as EFCC Chairman, beyond the six months allowed by law.Adegboruwa contended in his suit that since the Senate had rejected Magu as substantive chairman of EFCC, he could not thereafter be illegally functioning in acting capacity.Citing the provisions of Section 2 (3) of the EFCC Act, Adegboruwa argued that the section makes confirmation by the Senate, a condition precedent to the appointment of the EFCC chairman.He argued that since the provision of section 2 (3) of the EFCC Act was activated by forwarding the nomination of Magu to the Senate, he could not defy the decision of the Senate, which rejected him for the substantive appointment.Adegboruwa stated that notwithstanding the clear decision of the Senate not to confirm Magu, he has continued to parade himself in office as EFCC Chairman.He said that an example of such act was when he met with representatives of the United States Embassy on Jan. 6, 2017, clearly defying the decision of the Senate.Adegboruwa is therefore, asking the court to restrain the EFCC and all other authorities, from recognising, treating or in any other manner, dealing with Magu as the Chairman of EFCC, either in acting or substantive capacity.He also seeks a declaration that given his conduct in office so far, he is not a fit and proper person to function in office as chairman of EFCC.Consequently, Adegboruwa is asking the court to give an order forthwith directing Magu to vacate and relinquish his office as EFCC Chairman, whether in acting or substantive capacity.The lawyer also wants the court to declare void, all actions taken by the EFCC under the tenure of Magu, especially charges and information preferred in court.No date has been fixed for hearing of the new suit. (NAN)
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