Eminent Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Ebun-olu Adegboruwa, has written two separate letters to Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mahmud Malami, SAN, for information in respect of the rejection of confirmation of Mr. Ibrahim Mustapha Magu, as the substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In the letter to the Senate President, Mr. Adegboruwa is demanding an official clarification of the position of the Senate on the request of the President, for the confirmation of Magu as EFCC Chairman. He is also demanding for the votes and proceeding of the Senate of December 15, 2016, when the Senate declined to confirm Magu and all other communications on the matter.

In the letter to the Senate President, Adegboruwa wrote: “I hereby do humbly apply, pursuant to section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act, for the following:

1. The decision of the Senate in relation to the request of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the confirmation of Mr. Ibrahim Mustapha Magu, as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission;

2. The Votes and Proceedings of the Senate for Thursday, December 15, 2016, in relation to (1) above; and

3. Any other communication or information concerning or relevant to the above.

Under and by virtue of section 4 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act, I am entitled to your kind response to this request after seven days of your receipt of this application.”

In the letter to the Attorney-General, Adegboruwa is demanding for a confirmation of the present status of Magu in relation to the EFCC, as to whether he occupies any position as an operative, an officer, acting or substantive Chairman of the EFCC and also to know the present head of the Commission.

He wrote: “I hereby do humbly apply, pursuant to section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act, for the following:

1. The current status of the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as to the position of its Chairman, acting or substantive, especially in relation to the decision of the Senate, on the request of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the confirmation of Mr. Ibrahim Mustapha Magu, as Chairman of the said Commission;

2. The current status of Mr. Ibrahim Mustapha Magu, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, as to whether he occupies any position therein, as an operative, officer, acting or substantive Chairman, of the said Commission; and

3. Any other communication or information concerning or relevant to the above.

Under and by virtue of section 4 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act, I am entitled to your kind response to this request after seven days of your receipt of this application.”

Adegboruwa said in a statement issued on Thursday that both applications were made under Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act, which guarantees the right of any citizen, to have access to or request information from any public official, on any matter.

He stated further that he expects to receive their responses after seven days of the receipt of his applications, as stated under section 4 of the Freedom of Information Act.

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