Senate confirms reappointment of ICPC commissioners

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed seven nominees for reappointment as commissioners in the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission.

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Retd.), had last week in a letter dated January 3, 2023, to the Senate requested the reappointment of a seven members of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission.

The letter for the confirmation of the commissioners was read at Tuesday’s plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

The nominees include Justice Adamu Bello (Retd.), Katsina State (North West); Hanatu Muhammed, Jigawa (North West); Mrs. Olubukola Balogun Lagos state, (South West); Obiora Igwedibia, Anambra state, (South East), Dr. Abdullahi Saidu, Niger State (North- Central); Dauda Umar, Nasarawa (North Central); and Dr Grace Chinda, Delta State (South-South).

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A copy of the letter obtained by The PUNCH read, “In accordance with the provisions of Section 3 sub-section (3) & (7) of the Corrupt Practices and other related offenses Act. 2000. I write to forward for confirmation by the Senate the under-listed names of seven persons for re-appointment as members of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

“It is my hope that the distinguished Senate will consider and confirm the appointment in the usual expeditious manner.”

At the plenary, Lawan ignored the reservation raised by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele about the South West representative, Mrs Olubukola Balogun (Retd.).

Bamidele noted that her name carried Retd. and would like to find out what she retired from.
He said, “Mr President, I have an observation about the name of the Lagos representative, her name reads, Mrs Olubukola Balogun (Retd.). A person only retires from a profession; I would like to know what she retired from.

“Also, I have some questions about the age, her Curriculum Vitae reads that she was born in 1996 and she is already a commissioner. I wouldn’t know how she became a commissioner at such age.”

Lawan, however, in his response, noted that it was too late for such questions as she was already screened for previous appointment and should be passed for the second term.

He afterward hit the gravel and passed the confirmation of the nominees for reappointment.