Minister of Justice and the Attorney-general of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) has declined an invitation to appear before Justice Ayo Salami Panel of Inquiry probing the suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.
This is contrary to his statement earlier issued on September 9, 2020 in which he expressed readiness to attend and testify before the panel whenever invited.
But in a statement issued by Malami’s spokesman Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, he said that his decision not to appear at the panel was purely informed by constitutional provisions and not based on any ulterior motive.
According to Gwandu, the AGF’s appearance or otherwise to serve as a witness in
any investigation should be a constitutional matter.
“In establishing propriety or otherwise of the presence of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice whose responsibility is to hold constitution- al order one must root same within the constitutional pro- visions.
“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.”