Legal practitioner, Zik Obi, has asked that the report of the investigative panel set up to probe allegations against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) be made public regardless of President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence.
He explained that since leadership was handed over to the able hands of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, he had the right to inform the nation of the outcome of the investigation.
The three-man panel headed by Osinbajo, included the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Munguno (rtd) as members.
It was scheduled to present its report to President Buhari on Monday, May 8, 2017, but the President had to return to the UK for medical follow-up on May 7.
“I don’t think the report ought to wait for the return of the President because whoever the acting President is, ought to deal with that report,” the lawyer stated.
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He, however, noted that the Presidency in the first instance has no power to investigate criminal allegations.
Meanwhile, Mr Obi also cleared the air on a general impression that lawyers who are perceived to be upright, should not be involved in cases of certain persons who are being accused of corrupt practices.
He said it is only a misconception because according to him, a lawyer is merely doing his job by defending a person that is accused.
“A constitution guarantees every accused person the right of defence by a lawyer of his choice and lawyers have a duty to defend anybody who is accused of any offence.
“Even where the person cannot afford a lawyer, the constitution provides also that the state should provide a lawyer for the accused person, particularly where the matter is a capital offence,” he stressed.