PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari may appoint a replacement for the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, from among top officials of the agency.
Lamorde is expected to vacate his seat next month at the expiration of his four-year term.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan had on November 23, 2011 named him the commission’s acting chairman after sacking Mrs. Farida Waziri as the chairman.
His appointment was later confirmed by the Senate on February 15, 2012.
The PUNCH had reported exclusively on Friday that Buhari might have ruled out a second term for the commission’s boss.
While confirming the story on Saturday, a Presidency source said that Buhari may not scout for another head for the commission from outside.
He said the President may pick one of the top officials of the commission.
He added that the odds are in favour of the commission’s current Director of Operations.
The Director of Operations is the official next in rank to the chairman.
“I don’t think the President will pick Lamorde’s replacement from outside. He may settle for the current Director of Operations,” the source said.
Another source explained that in picking a replacement, the President may also take into consideration the criticism that his appointments so far were skewed in favour of the North.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, told our correspondent on Saturday that he had no information on the issue.
Our correspondent reported that Col. Hameed Ali (retd.) was touted as a replacement for Lamorde up until recently when Buhari appointed him (Ali) as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The position of the Director of Operations is described as a key one in the EFCC.
Lamorde had held the position twice.
He first held the position in 2003, at the establishment of the commission.
In 2009, Lamorde returned to the office.
The office is currently occupied by Olaolu Adegbite.
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