The suspended Acting Chairman of
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu has written
the Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating him, raising several issues
against the panel.
Magu raised eight issues among
which is the tribunal’s consistent private sittings without the media.
The suspended EFCC boss raised
the issues in a letter dated August 11 written by his lawyer, Wahab Shittu and
addressed to the Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, Justice Isa
Ayo Salami.
Other complaints he made in the
elongated letter include failure of the tribunal to reveal its mandate and
terms of reference.
He said the commission was
inviting witnesses without his knowledge as the accused.
According to Magu, most witnesses
are not placed on oath and his lawyers are denied the right to cross-examine
his accusers.
Magu said he has been denied
access to documents that form the basis of witnesses’ testimonies before the
Salami-led panel.
According to the suspended EFCC
Chairman, his arrest, detention, and suspension of 12 top officials of the
agency were done without query.
“In summary, we have concerns
regarding the legality of the honourable tribunal in the areas such as
consistently sitting in private (camera) and not in public as given by
applicable law.
“The tribunal has held
proceedings and invited and entertained witnesses to the exclusion of our
client and his counsel in violation of the applicable law on rules of fair
hearing.
“The tribunal has sat and
conducted proceedings in the absence of our client in violation of the
applicable law and rules of fair hearing.
“The detention of Mr. Magu and
subsequent denial of Mr. Magu’s detention by both your panel and the police.
“The suspension of twelve officials
(investigators and prosecutors) of the EFCC without query, interrogation, or
any other expected standard treatment for such an action,” The letter reads in
part.
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