Ibrahim Magu, the suspended
Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) has warned the
Justice Ayo Salami-led panel probing him not to end sittings without hearing
from him.
The police officer declared that
he still has a lot to say on allegations against him.
Magu’s reaction followed the news
that the panel has recommended his sack and prosecution to President Muhammadu
Buhari.
He spoke in a statement made available on Sunday night by his lawyer, Wahab Shittu.
Shittu noted that his client is
yet to formally present his defence.
He said: “Proceedings are ongoing
and witnesses are still lined up beginning from Monday. We all know that in
spite of repeated demands, our client has not been served with copies of
allegations against him. The instrument embodying the Terms of Reference was
not served on my client until August 8, 2020 (35 days after proceedings has
commenced).
“That the Honourable
Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar
Malami (SAN), whose memo triggered the proceedings, is yet to be summoned to
testify to support the allegations against our client. He who “asserts must
prove”. That our client was excluded from the initial stages of the proceedings
with several witnesses testifying in his absence.
“That counsel to our client was
not allowed to cross-examine many of the witnesses who had testified until
recently. That our client is yet to be granted access to
petitions/presentations, case files and exhibits admitted in the proceedings.
Please note that we have written to the panel to that effect. That our client
was accosted on the street and compulsorily requested to appear “immediately”
before the panel without opportunity to access documents to adequately prepare
his defence.
“That our client was subsequently
detained for ten days after appearing before the panel in unpleasant
circumstances. This detention is not covered by the Terms of Reference arising
from the instrument constituting the judicial commission of inquiry. That our
client, owing to his suspension from office, is unable to have access to
official documents and other information necessary for his defence.
“That cases pending before
superior courts of records such as Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and The
Supreme Court are being reviewed in the proceedings. We believe that this
development is subjudice and unhealthy for our jurisprudence. That witnesses
appearing before the panel were not sworn on oath before giving evidence as
stipulated under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act, 2004 on whose authority the
instrument setting up the Judicial Commission of Inquiry is derived.
“It is curious and worrisome that
an administrative panel of inquiry headed by His Lordship, Justice Ayo Isa
Salami, having sat and taken evidence (both oral and documentary) in the past
one month, has suddenly metamorphosed into a Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
How this comes within a contemplation of a commission of the Tribunal of
Inquiry Act, 2004 is very questionable.”
Shittu, who decried that some
publications about Magu were false, commented on the alleged money laundering
involving Prophet Emmanuel Omale, the General Overseer of Divine Hand of God
Prophetic Ministries International, Abuja.
“I recall Pastor Omale appearing
before the panel to confirm openly that none of the transfers into the church’s
accounts emanated from Magu and that Magu never donated to his personal or
church account. It is also instructive to note that no character by the name
Shanono ever appeared before the judicial commission of inquiry. The purveyors
of this fake news may assume they are destroying the sterling image of Magu,
but I have news for them. Majority of Nigerians cannot be fooled.
“We wish to confirm that the
proceedings are still ongoing and my client is yet to present his defence. We
are therefore shocked at the suggestion that an interim report has been
submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari. We all know that this is a democracy
anchored on respect for the rule of law.
“We urge those bent on
prejudicing the proceedings of the panel by planting false stories in the
public space to think of the interest of our country and not prejudge our
client whose commitment all along is service to the country. The only thing
keeping our client going in spite of the desire of mischief makers to pitch him
unfairly against the authorities is his conviction of his innocence.”
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