Chinedu Eze
26 May 2008
Lagos — Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Mzamber Waziri will appear before the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Anti-Corruption tomorrow for screening, prelude to confirmation by the Senate as the Commission's substantive chairman.
Other members of the Commission whose nominations have also been forwarded to the Senate for confirmation are Barrister Basil M.C. Anagoh, Barrister Paul Harris Ogbole, Mr. Banjo Olaniyan, Alhaji Mohammed Jibo, Mr. Emmanuel Akomoye (member/secretary).
THISDAY learnt yesterday night that members of the Committee had been notified by the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sola Akinyede on tomorrow's screening of Waziri and other members.
The Senate had given the Committee one week to submit its report to plenary for the purpose of confirmation hearing. The report is due for submission on Thursday, this week.
But because Thursday is public holiday (Democracy Day), the presentation of the report will be made on the next legislative day, which is Tuesday, June 3, 2008.
Also yesterday, Senate President David Mark, said that the Presidency would contravene the rule of law if Waziri takes over as the Chairperson of the Commission today as reported by the media.
Mark spoke with newsmen at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos yesterday and stressed that President Musa Yar'Adua would have no other choice than to follow due process which stipulates that the Senate must have to ratify the appointment of Waziri before she takes over the leadership of the Commission.
"We are talking of the rule of law .We must strictly adhere to the principle of the rule of law. We know what the procedures are,"Mark said.
The Senate President who said that the legislature and executive have enjoyed the most cordial relations since the present dispensation, expressed confidence that Yar'Adua would follow the rules, noting that due process and rule of law have been the hallmark of this administration.
Last week the Senate mandated its Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes Committee led by Sola Akinyede to ascertain whether Waziri had actually assumed office in breach of Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which states, "Except in the case of ex -officio members or where other provisions are made in this Constitution, the Chairman and Members of any of the bodies so established shall, subject to the provisions of the Constitution, be appointed by the President and the appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate"
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