EFCC uncovers ‘strange’ payment of N2.9b to 54 senators

A curious payment of N2, 922, 236.310 to 54 Senators during the tenure of Chief David Mark as Senate President is now engaging the attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Each of the Senators is believed to have received N45, 509, 090.

It is one of the issues Senator Mark is expected to throw light on during his ongoing interactive session with the agency, The Nation learned authoritatively yesterday.

Five of the 54 Senators that benefitted from the N2.9billion largesse are still members of the Green chambers of the National Assembly.

Among them is a principal officer of the Senate.

While investigators suspect that the money may have been sourced from the accounts of the National Assembly, citizen Ifeanyichukwu Obazi-Nweze, in a petition, claimed that it was trapped cash of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The discovery of the cash disbursement by EFCC is believed to have sparked the latest move by some Senators to block the re-nomination of Mr. Ibrahim Magu for confirmation as substantive Chairman of EFCC.

The lawmakers are said to have drawn the battle line with him.

Sources said yesterday that they planned to send a 15-man secret delegation to Buhari to protest against Magu and demand his removal.

It was gathered that some of the affected Senators had launched desperate moves to halt the investigation.

A reliable source said:

 “Some of the 54 Senators have drawn the battle line with the acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu and have vowed to unseat him. They know they collected illegal money and may have to refund same.
“Already, they have raised a 15-man team to have audience with President Muhammadu Buhari on why Magu must be removed for looking into N2.9billion fraud. They are afraid of their shadows because the ongoing investigation is leading to more stunning discoveries.
“They believe they can only have their way if Magu is eased out of EFCC.”