The Senate by unanimous decision on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Mrs. Farida Waziri as the new Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Her confirmation ends speculations about the fate of the (now) former Chairman of the commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who was sent on a one-year management course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.
Other members whose nominations were also confirmed include Mr. Basil M.C. Anagoh, Mr. Paul Harris Ogbole, Mr. Banjo Olaniyi, Alhaji Mohammed Jibo and Mr. Emmanuel Akomoye.
The decision of the Senate came after it considered a report by its committee on drugs, narcotics, anti-corruption and financial crimes.
The committee, which screened President Umaru Yar�Adua�s nominees for appointment as chairman and members of the EFCC, recommended their confirmation.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Sola Akinyede said, �The committee considers Mrs. Farida M. Waziri suitable for appointment as chairman of the EFCC.�
During the screening, several questions relating to their education, work experience and general questions were asked. The nominees answered all the questions satisfactorily.
�The committee received memoranda from two persons forwarded through the Office of the President of the Senate, namely Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) and Lt.-Col. Bashir Betera.
�None of the memoranda was accompanied by an affidavit deposing to the veracity of the facts contained therein as required by the provisions of Order 127 of the Standing Order of the Senate.�
In his contribution, Senator Bob Effiong said, �I have looked through the list of nominees except one, all of them are lawyers by training or vaocation. I want to say that the report is very comprehensive, comprehensive in the sense that the quality of the nominees was clearly stated. An average Nigerian knows how important the EFCC is.�
Also, Senator Anthony Manzo said, �It is good that in spite of provocations, we have resisted as a Senate on this recent exercise so many innuendos and hearsays, but I�m happy that this committee has done a thorough job in recommending these Nigerians.
�Mr. President, the job of the commission is a very sensitive one because corruption in the public sector represents actual and the most present danger to the survival of this country.�
Senator Olorunimbe Mamora in his contribution said, �If my colleagues will recall, a letter was written to us which we did not act on and to the extent that it has not been represented following the end of tenure of the previous holder of that position (Ribadu), one will agree that a vacancy has been created.
�Secondly, allegations which most of us read in the media that the nominee for the chairmanship stood as a surety for one of us (who was accused of financial crimes) and we are told that it never happened.�
Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba said, �No matter how we look at it, the power to remove is at the discretion of Mr. President. He determines whether or not it is in the interest of the commission or in the interest of the public. That discretion rests squarely and exclusively with Mr. President.
�When Mr. President makes an appointment, at the very least, there is a constructive vacancy, at the very best, there is an actual vacancy. It can be recalled that in the last Senate, we received a letter notifying this Senate of the appointment of the chairman of the EFCC. To the best of my knowledge and to the best of our records, that nomination was not considered or confirmed by this Senate.�
However, there was another allegation on Thursday that Waziri had lied before the Senate that she never acted as surety for the former governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume, over his bail in his trial over corruption.
Saharareporters.com, an online news agency, reported that it was in possession of a document purportedly signed by Waziri to procure the release of the former governor�s passport from the EFCC.
Saharareporters stated, �The document, dated November 8, 2007, was signed in Mrs. Waziri�s handwriting. She signed as Chief (Mrs) Farida M. Waziri, AIG-rtd.�
The online news agency also quoted a media aide to Akume, Mrs. Beckie Orpin, as admitting that the new EFCC boss acted as surety for her boss.
She was quoted as saying, �On the issue of Mrs. Waziri, it was the EFCC operatives themselves who asked him to invite her to collect his seized passport on his behalf. I can�t remember the date, but his passport was seized alongside other governors. I think 20 of them.
�But when he was to travel to Tunisia and Morocco on official trip, it required the passport, so he sent for it.�
Prominent lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), had earlier alleged in his letter to the Senate that Waziri acted as surety for Akume.
However, Waziri told one of our correspondents on phone on Thursday that she would not grant any interview untill her inauguration. Waziri, however, added that she stood by what she told the Senate during her screening.
�After the inauguration you can call me for anything. But I stand by what I told the Senate. Final!�
Reacting, the Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, regretted that the fight against corruption in the country had been politicised.
Odumakin said that the upper legislative chamber had displayed insensitivity in clearing Waziri.
He said, �It is a sad day for the anti-graft war in Nigeria that Waziri, in spite of mass allegation against her, got confirmation from the Senate.�
Fawehinmi has also criticised the confirmation. He said he would take a concrete step against her confirmation on Monday.
However, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), said since the Senate had confirmed Waziri�s nomination, she had become legally empowered to perform as EFCC boss.
When asked on the status of Ribadu in view of the fact that he had not been removed officially, Oyetibo said, � Ribadu is the only one that has the locus to challenge his removal.
�We must draw a distinction between the freedom of expression to comment on validity of an action and the right to challenge the validity.�