Ibrahim Magu, suspended chairman
of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has asked Abubakar Malami,
attorney-general of the federation (AGF), to provide evidence of corruption
against him.
In a letter to the presidential
panel investigating him, Wahab Shittu, Magu’s counsel, asked the committee to
summon the AGF to prove the infractions he accused his client of.
The panel was mandated to
investigate the former EFCC boss after Malami recommended his removal over
allegations of corruption in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.
He accused Magu of “not acting in
the overall best interest of the country and the policies of this
administration due to its mismanagement and lack of transparency in managing
recovered assets” among other allegations.
Since his probe started, Magu,
through his lawyer, has often raised the alarm over the “unfair manner” with
which the panel, headed by Ayo Salami, retired president of the appeal court,
is operating.
In a letter dated September 4,
Shittu said providing evidence of the allegations against Magu is necessary to
show credibility and for fair hearing.
“We believe that consistent with
the fundamental principles of fair hearing as guaranteed under Section 36 of
the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, our client is
entitled to be confronted with copies of allegations against him as well as the
opportunity to confront his main accuser (in this case, the Honourable Attorney
General of the Federation) to enable our client raise issues concerning the
allegations and cross-examine the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation
on the substance and credibility of his allegations against our client,” he
said.
“We hereby apply for the issuance
of a Subpoena Ad Testificandum and Subpoena Duces Tecum on the Honourable
Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) to appear before
this Judicial Commission of Inquiry to give evidence concerning his memo to the
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari
(regarding Magu).”
The lawyer also requested the
panel to recall witnesses who appeared and testified before it at the time Magu
was not allowed to participate in its proceedings for cross-examination.
“Based on the foregoing, our
client is entitled to participate in the entirety of the proceedings including
afforded the opportunity to cross-examine all witnesses in these proceedings,”
he said.
“We will also humbly request for
guidance on specific procedure, schedule and timeline earmarked for the defence
to enable our client adequately prepare and call relevant and material
witnesses/documentary evidence ahead of his defence in the proceedings.”
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