Bolaji Owasanoye

The Senate on Wednesday screened Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye as chairmanship nominee for the Board of Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

If approved will, Owasanoye will take over from Ekpo Nta, whose five-year tenure expired in June and who has been redeployed to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages as a full-time commissioner.

Owasanoye may become the fourth substantive chairman of the commission since it was established by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration in 1999.

The past chairmen were Mustapha Akanbi and Emmanuel Ayoola (both justices) and Mr. Nta.

The screening, conducted by the Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes, was also conducted for eight nominees as members of the board.

The nominees are: Dr. Grace Chinda (Delta), Okolo Titus-(Enugu) Abiora Iqwedebia (Anambra) and Mrs. Olubukola Balogun (Lagos).

Others are: Justice Adamu Bello (Katsina), Hannatu Muhammad (Jigawa), Abdullahi Maikanu Saidu (Niger) and Yahaya Umah Daudu (Nasarawa).

Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Chukwuka Utazi, cautioned the nominees against exhibiting attributes that could demean the credibility, value and prestige of the ICPC.

He urged them to be prepared for the job ahead if eventually confirmed by the Senate, adding that they should draw inspiration from one another.

“The nominees passed through thorough screening and cross-examination by members of the committee”.

Presenting the nominees before the committee, the Presidential Liaison Officer to the National Assembly, Sen. Ita Enang, appreciated the committee for its commitment.

He said President Mohammadu Buhari was committed to choosing Nigerians of good character to work for the interest and progress of the country.

The president had on July 25, requested the senate to confirm the nominees in accordance with provisions of section 38 (6) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission Establishment, Act 2000.

(NAN)