The former Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu has appealed to the Justice Ayo Malami led investigative panel to summon the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami as a witness.
Magu wrote two letters to the Panel through his lawyer, Mr. Wahab Shittu stating appealing for it to call AG Malami to the stand since his petition triggered the probe as well as the recall of some key witnesses who made presentations when he was barred from the proceedings.
The letter argued that Magu must be allowed to face his accuser in line with the spirit of fair hearing as stated under section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
Shittu argued in the letters that the requests were made in line with the spirit of fair hearing guaranteed under section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution.
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Excerpts from the letter read;
“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.”
Citing section 36(a), (b), (c), and (d) of the 1999 Constitution, the letter urged the Panel to invite the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) to give evidence in the ongoing hearing being the main accuser.
“We believe this request ought to be resolved before our client is called upon to enter his defence in these proceeding,” the letter read. A proposed subpoena was also attached as a recommendation to the panel.
It stated that Malami should be summoned to testify regarding his allegations which include, the former acting chairman not acting in the interest of the administration due to mismanagement of recovered assets; Diversion of recovered assets for personal enrichment; failing to investigate the P&ID case in time and disobedience to directives and court orders.
Magu also asked that Malami be made to testify on the final report of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Recovered Assets (PCARA).
The second letter asserted that Magu has the right to participate in all the proceedings of the panel and therefore should be given the right to cross-examine witnesses who presented evidence in his absence.