Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF),
has denied relationship with the suspect — Lawrence Ajodo — linked with the
raid on the residence of Mary Odili, justice of the supreme court.
On October 30, security operatives — made up of soldiers and
police officers — invaded the Abuja residence of the supreme court justice over
an allegation that illegal activities were going on there.
A search warrant was reportedly granted to one Lawrence
Ajodo, identified as a chief superintendent of police who had claimed to be
attached to the AGF’s office.
Last Thursday, the police paraded 14 persons in connection
with the invasion.
During the parade, Ajodo, who Frank Mba, police
spokesperson, described as a fake chief superintendent of police, said he works
with Malami in carrying out asset recovery.
Some hours after the parade, the attorney-general, in a
statement released by Umar Gwandu, his spokesman, denied any alleged connection
with the suspect.
Again reacting to the development, Malami, in an interview
on Channels Television, on Sunday, said he has never met with the suspect
before, adding that there is no relationship — distant or close — between him
and the suspect.
The minister of justice said Ajodo should provide “formal
evidence” of his engagement by the office of the attorney-general, adding that
is the only source to prove his alleged relationship with the suspect.
“In terms of knowledge by way of either relationship —
distant or close — I don’t have any relationship whatsoever with Lawrence
Ajodo,” Malami said.
“I do not know him. I do not engage him. I do not instruct
him formally or informally that is the true position as far as Lawrence Ajodo
is concerned.”
Asked if his office uses the help of consultants for some of
its activities, he responded: “Well, the office of the attorney-general engages
people officially, particularly lawyers, who are engaged in one way or the
other for the purpose of confirmation of officials, either by their capacity as
legal practitioner or any specialised arrangement.
“The issue arising
from this is where is the evidence of formal engagement? If Lawrence Ajodo is
in any way engaged by the office of attorney-general, where is the formal
evidence of such engagement? I think that is the fundamental question.
“The office of the attorney-general, as you rightly know, is
an official office and with that in mind there is just no way any other person
can be engaged informally for the purpose of provision of service. That is my
take on it.
“The office of the attorney-general has not engaged with
Lawrence Ajodo formally or informally, and as a formal office that is put in
place for the service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Whatever engagement needs to be made by tradition,
conventions and practice must be done formally. I think at the starting point
for Lawrence Ajodo or any other person that feels strongly about that to now
present for the consideration of the general Nigerian public a formal
engagement letter.
“And that can only be
the source of engagement or formal relationship, if any, have existed.”
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