The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, did not appear before Justice Ayo Salami-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Thursday.
The retired president of the Court of Appeal had issued a subpoena to Malami to appear before the Commission of Inquiry to substantiate the allegations he levelled against the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, in the memo he wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari which was the basis upon which the Judicial Commission of Inquiry was set up by the President.
This followed Magu’s insistence on being given an opportunity to confront his accuser before the Panel, including the Attorney General of the Federation.
The Subpoena had read as follows: “You are hereby Commanded in the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to give evidence in respect of your allegations against Mr Ibrahim Magu”.
However, Malami wrote a letter instead of appearing before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, stating that he would not appear as a witness because his charges against Magu was based on the petitions he received against him.
It would be recalled that the AGF had earlier promised to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry if summoned to do so.
