The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has denied reports that he allegedly conspired with a lawyer to testify against suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.
Magu is being investigated by a presidential panel headed by the retired President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami following a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari by Malami.
In a statement on Monday, Malami’s spokesman, Umar Gwandu said the report about the AGF’s involvement with one Donald Wokoma was false.
The statement reads: “The attention of the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to a flimsy allegation made by one, Victor Giwa, Esq accusing the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN of conniving with one Donald Wokoma to witch-hunt him over what he termed as “his refusal to testify against Ibrahim Magu” at the ongoing Retired Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential Panel probing the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.
“The Honourable Attorney-General never met Giwa and has never discussed any issue with the so-called Donald Wokoma nor asked anybody, personally or by proxy, to engage the so-called Victor to testify against Magu.
“The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation who has not set up the investigation panel to probe Magu is not saddled with any responsibility to procure witness (es) for the panel.
“The Attorney-General of the Federation is never a member of the panel nor does it fall within the realm of the AGF’s authority to invite witness (es) for a presidential probe panel.
“The claim by Victor Giwa, Esq is therefore fictitious, unfounded and figment of imagination of mischief makers who want to create unnecessary attention and tarnish the good image of the Attorney-general of the Federation and Minister of Justice and labouring incessantly, these days, to falsely cast aspersions on the AGF’s hard earned reputation.
“The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation hereby called the so-called Victor Giwa to come and substantiate his allegation with details of the following: When did Victor Giwa meet the AGF on the issue? Where did Victor Giwa met the AGF on the issue? How was the meeting? Was it by proxy? Or the AGF sent a representative? In what capacity was the representative, if any? What were the terms of their engagement? What was the claimed ‘offer’? How was the so-called offer to testify against Magu made? Who were the witnesses?”
