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Probe: Magu Faults ‘Private’ Proceeding, Alleges Rights Violation By Panel

  The suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, has raised an alarm over alleged violation of his … Continue reading Probe: Magu Faults ‘Private’ Proceeding, Alleges Rights Violation By Panel


Ibrahim Magu, EFCC Chairman, Senate
A file photo of acting EFCC chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu.
Ibrahim Magu, EFCC Chairman, Senate
A file photo of acting EFCC chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu.

 

The suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, has raised an alarm over alleged violation of his fundamental human rights.

In a letter addressed to the presidential panel investigating the suspended EFCC boss, Magu’s lawyer, Wahab Shittu, decried that his client was not afforded the adequate opportunity of preparing for his defence to the allegations against him.

He added that Magu was denied the opportunity of timeously raising objection to and challenging the composition of the membership of the investigative panel, assuming he would have had any.

READ ALSO: ‘I Am Innocent,’ Magu Denies All Allegations Against Him [Full Statement]

The lawyer questioned why the panel has “consistently” held its proceedings in private and not in public, adding that witnesses were invited and entertained to the exclusion of his client and his counsel.

According to him, this is in violation of the applicable law on rules of fair hearing and the panel has continued to conduct proceedings in the absence of Magu.

Shittu, who said he had the approval of his client to write the letter dated August 11, 2020, accused the panel and the police of detaining Magu and denying same.

You Can't Be Fighting Corruption And Be Corrupt – EFCC Boss
File photo: Suspended EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu, having a chat with reporters.

 

The letter came almost two weeks after the suspended EFCC boss said he was innocent of all the allegations against him.

He faulted the suspension of 12 officials (investigators and prosecutors) of the EFCC purportedly without query, interrogation, or any other expected standard treatment for such an action.

The lawyer decried that the panel has refused to allow Magu’s counsel to cross-examine his accusers and witnesses, alleging that the panel failed to reveal its mandate, terms of reference, and timeline until August 8.

He claimed that Magu and his counsel were excluded from the proceedings of July 11, 12, and among others, despite their presence at the venue of the sittings.

Shittu stressed that his client was the subject matter of inquiry and to exclude his presence and that of his counsel, in any of the proceedings, was a gross violation of the express letters of the instrument of appointment dated July 3, 2020.

He, therefore, stated that should the panel decide to proceed with the inquiry, Magu would be ready to present his defence.

Read the letter addressed to the presidential panel below: