Magu Addresses Salami Panel, Demands Access To Exhibits, Records

Wahab Shittu, the counsel representing the suspended Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman, Ibrahim Magu, has again written to the Ayo Salami-led investigative panel, demanding fair hearing and copies of relevant exhibits from proceedings of the committee.

Shittu requested that all records from the proceedings be provided to his client and his counsel ahead of the embattled EFCC boss’s defence before the judicial commission of inquiry.

The lawyer also asked the panel to provide his client with adequate time and facility as he prepares to defend himself, as well as access to all exhibits tendered in the proceeding.

Shittu said the request was in compliance with Section 36 of the Nigerian constitution.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in a letter dated July 3 approved the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Enquiry under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act (Cap T21, LFN, 2004).

Magu’s counsel had in a letter addressed to Salami’s investigative panel, faulted the committee’s interpretation of its role as a judicial commission of inquiry.

Although the Tribunals of Inquiry Act provides for public sittings, it says a panel has “in its absolute discretion, to admit or exclude the public or any member of the public or the press from any meeting of the tribunal.”

In reaction, Shittu argued that despite the powers of the inquiry to exclude members of the public, it is not for the entirety of the proceedings.

“We humbly request that you note that in view of the timeline stipulated above and the need to clarify the duration of the sitting and whether the appointing authority has extended the period,” Shittu said.

“It is of utmost importance that access to the required documents is granted to our client and his counsel to ensure seamless proceedings and the guarantee of fair hearing as ‘enriched’ in the constitution,” he added.