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

Saraki stated this in a post on his X handle on Tuesday while reacting to the appellate court’s decision on the legality of Magu’s continued stay as acting chairman of the anti-graft agency.

The former Senate President recalled that the eighth Senate rejected Magu’s nomination as substantive EFCC chairman twice in 2016 and 2017, but that he continued to serve in an acting capacity until July 2020.

Magu’s continued stay in office after the Senate’s rejection subsequently became the subject of a legal challenge, with the dispute centred on whether he could remain acting chairman for an extended period without confirmation by the Senate.

Saraki said the Senate’s action was not politically motivated, as some had alleged at the time, but an exercise of its constitutional responsibility.

He said the Senate’s decision attracted criticism, while he and other members of the eighth Senate, as well as their families and associates, endured what he described as attempts by Magu to terrorise them.

The Court of Appeal, in a judgment delivered on Monday, ruled that Magu’s prolonged tenure as acting EFCC chairman was unlawful, overturning an earlier Federal High Court decision that had upheld his continued retention in office.

Reacting to the judgment, Saraki said it had reinforced the position taken by the eighth Senate nearly a decade ago.

He said the experience demonstrated the importance of remaining committed to one’s convictions while serving in public office, even when such positions attract criticism.

Saraki added that the development showed that time could test a person’s convictions, but could ultimately reveal the value of standing by one’s principles.