The suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu has written to the Justice Ayo Salami-led investigative panel, demanding that the Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami appear before the panel and provide evidence regarding his allegations against him.
Mr Magu stated this through his lawyer Wahab Shittu in a letter dated September 4 and made available to journalists on Monday, saying Malami’s appearance is to ensure a fair hearing.
He cited sections 5(c) and 6 of the Tribunals of Inquiry Act 2004 which says the tribunal has “the power to summon any person in Nigeria to attend any meeting of the tribunal to give evidence or produce any document or other thing in his possession and to examine him as a witness or require him to produce any document or other thing in his possession, subject to all just exceptions”.
He added that the request is in compliance with Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution.
Malami had in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari advised that Magu be suspended and investigated, accusing him of corruption and insubordination.
However, Magu wrote in his letter: “Based on the foregoing, we humbly request that the Honourable Attorney General who is the main accuser in these proceedings be graciously invited to give evidence in connection with the subject matter of this inquiry with specific reference to our client in the interest of FAIR HEARING.
“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.”
