Nigeria: Acting president stands with anti-graft chief

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria’s Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said on Thursday that he would not sack the country’s anti-graft chief, even after the parliament demanded his disqualification.

Osinbajo said that he had faith in Ibrahim Magu, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission chairman.

“We have confidence in Magu to fight corruption to a standstill. He will remain the chairman as long as I remain the acting president and Muhammadu Buhari remains the president,” Osinbajo said in northwest Kaduna state.

“It is our belief that Magu will continue to remain a nightmare for corrupt people for years to come,” he added.

This statement comes a day after the Nigerian senate rejected Osinbajo’s comment that the senior police officer does not need the parliament’s clearance to remain in office.

On Wednesday, lawmakers demanded that Magu be disqualified from office.

Previously, the senate had twice rejected Magu’s nomination citing alleged corruption charges and abuse of office.

In November 2015, the president appointed Magu as the anti-graft chief of the country. He was renominated in January this year after the senate disqualified him last year.

The presidency insists it is comfortable with the top police officer and the work he is doing.

The political atmosphere is charged with some Nigerians saying that the senate chief, who faces corruption charges, is overreacting in directing the executive to sack its nominee for the office.