Magu’s Unlawful Tenure Vindicates Us, Says Saraki

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said the Court of Appeal’s ruling declaring Ibrahim Magu’s prolonged tenure as acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) unlawful has vindicated the position taken by the 8th Senate under his leadership.

Saraki stated this in a post on his social media pages on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, following the appellate court’s judgment delivered in Abuja on Monday.

The Court of Appeal had overturned a 2019 Federal High Court judgment that upheld Magu’s continued stay as acting EFCC chairman despite the Senate’s rejection of his nomination as substantive chairman. Magu served in an acting capacity from 2015 until July 2020.

Saraki recalled that the 8th Senate rejected Magu’s nomination twice in 2016 and 2017, maintaining that the decision was based on the Senate’s constitutional responsibility rather than political considerations.

He said members of the 8th Senate, their families and associates faced what he described as attempts by Magu to “terrorise” them because of their position on the matter.

According to him, the personal and public cost of standing by the Senate’s position was significant, but he remained convinced that the decision was the right one.

Reflecting on the latest court ruling, Saraki said the development had reinforced his belief that standing by principle ultimately proves worthwhile.

He wrote: “Nearly a decade later, I feel vindicated yet again.”

Saraki added that the experience demonstrated that although time could test a person’s convictions, it eventually revealed the value of standing by principle.

The Court of Appeal’s ruling followed an appeal by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who challenged Magu’s prolonged stay in office after the Senate twice rejected his nomination