Date: 2017-04-17

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Senator Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, has assured that the National Assembly will quicken the passage of 2017 budget as soon as it reconvenes from the Easter recess.

Ibrahim said the legislative organ was making frantic effort to ensure that the passage of the appropriation bill for the year is no longer delayed.

Addressing Journalists on the sidelines of the Interactive session organized by Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kwara South at Ebenezer African Church, Osi, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday, the legislator disclosed that the Senate Committees have made tremendous progress on each bit of the fiscal document.

"We are going to pass the 2017 budget as soon as we resume from Easter Holiday by the grace of God", he assured.

The Herald recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari had presented N7.298tn budget estimates of 2017 to the joint session of the National Assembly December 14, 2016 and urged both chambers to expedite action on it.

On the lingering economic recession in the country, Ibrahim described the situation as a global phenomenon, adding that the crisis bedeviling the economy can only be managed.

He maintained that the legislature was working round the clock in conjunction with the Central Bank of Nigeria to rejig the nation's monetary policy.

"The economic crisis cannot be resolved, it can always all be managed. It is being managed. The recession is global, but we hope that at least, we will be able to manage our own, so that we will not go into depression.

"And we are hopeful with the way the resource is managed and another thing is that this government is very prudent. Accountability is number one under our President, and with the help of the National Assembly, we know that the nation will continue to forge ahead.

"Our relationship with CBN is perfect. The relationship is proactive. The current leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria is very proactive. They discuss with us in the National Assembly, they engage us, so the relationship is very cordial", he said.

Speaking on the rejection of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) by the Senate on the premise that the latter was on vengeance, Ibrahim explained that the non-confirmation of the anti-graft body czar was due to his failure during the screening.

He said there was no truth in the belief that the refusal to affirm the nomination of Magu was a deliberate attempt to stifle the anti-corruption crusade of the present administration.

He said the trial of some persons for corruption related matters remained allegation until they are found guilty by a competent law court.

Ibrahim, who represents Kwara South Senatorial District, stated that the non-confirmation of the EFFC acting chairman has not disturbed the legislative work and cautioned some Nigerians not to be mischievous.

"I wouldn't know about that. The onus of proof in Nigeria criminal law is that you are innocent until you are found guilty. So, all of them are allegations. But our people are Senators carrying the mandate of their constituencies. We did the screening (for Magu) in the open, unless anybody wants to be mischievous. It is clear that from the interview that he failed the screening and we the Senate voted as such.

"It has not disturbed anything, just like the question about Ibrahim Magu's confirmation (as EFCC Chairman). We screened and rejected Magu in a week, the following week, we passed the Electoral Act, two years before election. In the previous years, it is always few days before election.

"The entire leadership of INEC came to the Senate to thank it for passing electoral act on time so that everybody will be aware of the rules before the game starts. So, it has not distracted the Senate that I am part of. We are focusing on our job, but we will not be deterred by malicious narratives", Ibrahim said.