Abubakar Malami, attorney-general
of the federation (AGF), says his refusal to appear before the panel probing
Ibrahim Magu is based on “constitutional consideration”.
Malami had earlier said he would
gladly testify before the panel headed by Ayo Salami, retired president of the
court of appeal, if summoned but on Wednesday, the AGF declined the invitation
to appear before the panel as a witness against the suspended acting chairman
of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
Magu is being investigated over
allegations of corruption which Malami levelled against him.
In a statement by Umar Gwandu, his media aide, Malami explained that the terms of the invitation extended to him by the panel runs contrary to constitutional provisions.
He said appearing as a witness
before the panel must be done within the provisions of the constitution, adding
that his office empowers him to serve a supervisory role.
“In establishing propriety or
otherwise of the presence of the Attorney-General of the Federation and
Minister of Justice whose responsibility is to hold constitutional order one
must root same within the constitutional provisions,” the statement read.
“The terms and wordings of
invitation extended to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of
Justice to Justice Ayo Panel of inquiry against Magu runs contrary to the
Constitutional provisions.
“The Office of the Attorney-General
of the Federation and Minister of Justice is by the provision of the
Constitution and extant laws empowered to serve supervisory role.
“In the case of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Attorney-General of the Federation and
Minister of Justice has been discharging the role effectively.”
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