March 29, 2024

 

Justice Isa Ayo Salami, the Chairman of the judicial panel of enquires investigating the allegations against the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu, has reveal that he regrets heading the panel.

Two lawyers who were present when the former president of the court of appeal allegedly made the statement told PREMIUM TIMES.

According to the medium, Salami made the comment on Friday at the close of Magu’s defence hearing held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The Salami-panel has been investigating corruption and insubordination allegations against Magu by the attorney general and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami.

Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES in separate interviews, two lawyers to Mr Magu who were at Friday’s sitting, Tosin Ojaoma and Zainab Abiola, said before the commencement of the proceedings, Mr Salami told them that he regrets accepting the task to chair the panel.

“We all sat down as lawyers, after a little period, Justice salami said he regretted working in this panel.

“As soon as the proceedings opened, Salami was full of regrets, he (Salami) brought out his handkerchief and said he is full of regret taking up the job. Then our team asked him, is it because the panel is yet to find evidence against our client, (Magu), Mr Salami did not respond he only kept saying he regrets taking up the job,” Mrs Abiola said.

Mr Ojaoma also gave a similar narration.

“Mr Salami kept saying he feels embarrassed for talking up the job. He also lamented that for years after he had retired he was seated in his home eating Tuwo (a popular food from the northern part of Nigeria),” without any disturbance, Mr Ojaoma told PREMIUM TIMES.

Salami’s panel was supposed to have sent in its report, but it asked for more time to conlcude its assignment.

President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the establishment of the Salami panel, tagged the Judicial Commission of Enquiry.

Magu was arrested in a dramatic manner in July and driven to the Presidential Villa where the panel seats. He was also detained for more than four days on the directive of the panel. He was eventually released but still attends the panel’s hearing while his suspension continues.

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