Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF),
has declined to appear before the presidential panel investigating Ibrahim
Magu, suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC).
On Wednesday, the AGF declined an invitation to appear
before the panel to testify against Magu whom he accused of corruption and
abuse of office.
This is contrary to his earlier statement that he would
“gladly” obey if the panel summoned him in the ongoing probe.
Magu is being investigated by the panel headed by Ayo
Salami, retired president of the appeal court, over allegations of corruption.
The AGF had accused him 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.
Wahab Shittu, Magu’s counsel, recently wrote to the
presidential panel asking it to summon Malami to prove the allegations against
his client.
In response, the AGF said he would comply, in line with the
current administration’s respect for the rule of law, if summoned.
Speaking during an Arise TV programme, he had said: “If
indeed the Ayo Salami panel invites Abubakar Malami as a person or the AGF in
the person of Abubakar Malami for any testimony, for any clarification, for
examination or cross-examination for that matter, Abubakar Malami will
wholeheartedly, gladly within the spirit and context of the rule of law be
there to testify, be there to be cross-examined, be there to be examined within
the context of the rule of law.”
He also said he had responded to summons by various panels
in similar investigations, and so, “the case of Salami will certainly not be an
exception”.
He was subsequently subpoenaed and asked to appear, and “give evidence” in respect to his allegations
against the former EFCC chairman.
But instead of honouring the invitation, the AGF wrote to
the panel, saying he would not appear before it because of the privileges of
his office.
Magu’s defence team could not immediately be reached,
but The PUNCH quoted one of his lawyers as saying Malami said his duty is to
prosecute and file charges, and not to testify.
The AGF did not answer calls
to his phone and he is yet to reply to a text message sent, regarding the development which comes after Magu alleged foul play in his
probe.
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