By Bose Olamide
The suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Sunday said the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the agency cannot present any interim report yet because he has not entered his defence.
Indeed, Magu cautioned against prejudicing the proceedings of the panel.
According to The NATION report, Magu made his position known in a statement in Abuja through his counsel, Mr. Wahab Shittu.
He emphasized that more witnesses will still testify before the panel.
The statement said: “We wish to state with high sense of responsibility that our client is yet to formally present his defence. Proceedings are ongoing and witnesses are still lined up for next week, beginning from Monday. Please, note that a similar story on Interim Report was brought to the attention of the panel and we were advised by the chairman of the panel to ignore the story.
“Our attitude is also to ignore this latest story as falsehood not reflecting the realities on ground. We all know that, in spite of repeated demands, our client has not been served with copies of allegations against him.
“We wish to confirm that the proceedings are still ongoing and my client is yet to present his defence.
“We are therefore, shocked at the suggestion that an interim report has been submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari. We all know that this is a democracy anchored on respect for the rule of law. Central to the rule of law is the element of fair hearing.
“Section 36(1) of 1999 Constitution (as amended) is explicit on this. It provides;
“In the determination of his civil rights and obligations, including any question or determination by or against any government or authority, a person shall be entitled to a fair hearing within a reasonable time by a court or other tribunal established by law and constituted in such manner as to secure its independence and impartiality.
“We urge those bent on prejudicing the proceedings of the panel by planting false stories in the public space to think of the interest of our country and not prejudge our client whose commitment all along is service to the country.
“ The only thing keeping our client going in spite of the desire of mischief makers to pitch him unfairly against the authorities is his conviction of his innocence.
“Please no one is entitled to condemn our innocent client before he is heard or before he is afforded the opportunity of defending himself on the merits” the statement read in part.
