The Nigerian Senate has suspended the confirmation of Olanipkekun Olukoyede as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The decision came after lawmaker representing Bauchi Central and member of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Isa Misau, accused committee members of preparing a report without the consent of other members.

Though, the Committee Chairman, Chukwuka Utazi, read out the report of the committee where he stated that “Mr Olukoyede possessed integrity and competence to perform the duties for which he is nominated”, his confirmation was suspended.

Utazi further stated that the committee is satisfied with the nominee’s qualification and experience; and thereafter, recommended that the Senate confirm the nominee.

Misau, who reacted to the presentation of the Chairman, complained that only three of eight members signed the Endorsement Page of the report.

According to him, “Let’s step down this report so that we, the members of the committee, can go through it. This is because I participated actively in the screening of these nominees and there are some of them that are not competent to hold that office.

“I’m just seeing this report. It has not been sent to my office and I was part of the screening and during the screening, I made objections on certain people that are not supposed to hold that office to be screened. It is necessary for us to look at the report.”

Defending the Committee’s report, Utazi explained that most of the committee members are busy with oversight.

His words: “Most of the committee members are busy with oversight. We wrote every member to be in attendance. What Misau attended was the ICPC screening. He attended and participated but he did not attend this one.”

“We gave the notice to everybody to attend; and at the end of the day, the number of people who attended, formed quorum and took the decision on behalf of the committee (signed),” he said as he urged the Senate to accept the report as presented.

Reacting on the development, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, asked the committee chairman to meet with his members later today, conclude and re-present the report tomorrow.

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