Mark dismisses EFCC psychiatric test

By Inalegwu Shaibu

ABUJA—THE President of the Senate, Chief David Mark has faulted calls by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mrs. Farida Waziri for psychological tests to be run on political office holders.

Speaking during a debate on nominations of members of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)  yesterday, Mark described the call as baseless and unfortunate.

He said, “The EFCC’s call for a psychiatric test to be conducted on political office holders in Nigeria is unfortunate. I do not know the bases for that call. I have been waiting for the EFCC to deny that call but they have not come forward to deny it.”

President Umaru Yar’Adua had Tuesday forwarded five names to the Senate for confirmation as members of the Monetary Policy Committee of the CBN.

But the Senators at the considerations of the nominations of the members on the floor of the Senate yesterday faulted it on the grounds that it does not capture the six geopolitical zones.

But this was countered by Mark who said the nominations were on merit and not on federal character.
Mark said, “one thing we should consider is whether the nomination was on merit or not. In my opinion I think the two should go together but again we should also take the issue of merit very serious while considering nominations for sensitive organisations like the CBN.”

Those that spoke against the nominations were Senators Grace Bent (PDP) Adamawa South, Nimi Bariagha-Amange (PDP) Bayelsa East, Bukka Abbah Ibrahim (ANPP) Yobe North, Awisu Kuta (PDP) Niger East amongst others.