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I Refused to Testify Against Magu Out of Constitutional Consideration – AGF Malami
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has explained why he declined to testify before the Ayo Salami-led panel probing the suspended EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu.
In a statement released on Thursday September 24, by his spokesperson Umar Gwandu, Malami stated that his decision of not appearing before the presidential investigative panel has no ulterior motive.
Malami whose complaint led to the suspension of Mr Magu as acting EFCC chairperson and the investigation of his activities at the EFCC from May 2015 to May 2020, stated that his invitation by the presidential investigative panel was “contrary to the provisions of the Law.”
The statement read;
“The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice said the appearance or otherwise of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN to serve as a witness in any investigation should be a constitutional matter.
“In establishing properiety 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 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 a 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.”
