Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) appeared before the presidential probe panel led by Justice Ayo Salami on Tuesday to testify against the embattled former acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.
According to a report by Punch, Ozekhome tendered video clips and documents as evidence against the former EFCC Chief.
During the session, Ozekhome testified regarding the failure of leadership in the commission as well as the lapses in the Investigation process by agents of the EFCC.
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The lawyer advised the panel to ensure that the anti-graft agency stops it’s tradition of media trial of suspects as this affects their success in the court of law.
Counsel to Mr. Magu, Tosin Ojaomo who confirmed the presence of Ozekhome at the panel decried that his client was not given the opportunity to defend himself in front of Ozekhome who is a known critic of the former EFCC boss.
“We are aware of the visit of Chief Ozekhome. His grouse is the freezing of his account in 2017, which was later unfrozen.
Unfortunately, it only goes on to show that the panel is on a fishing expedition, because the panel is also inviting people, who have a score to settle with Magu, he said.
“This is not how panels are supposed to act. We all remember how the Justice Oputa panel conducted itself professionally many years ago.
People, who were invited, were given petitions ahead of time so that they could defend themselves. Till date, Magu has not received any petition. Is this fair?”
Mike Ozekhome however said he did not appear at the panel to witch hunt Magu but to point out the deficiencies in the EFCC.
He said he submitted six documents inclusive of two videos, and a letter he wrote to vice President, Yemi Osinbajo on the urgent need for reforms in the EFCC.
“I have not even said anything about the seizure of my funds by the EFCC and I am surprised that Ojaomo, a lawyer, can talk about something he didn’t witness.
My N75m was seized by Magu and his goons despite the fact that it was my legal fees. I went to court and defeated them; so, I have nothing to prove,” he said.
“All I did at the panel was to tender some documents and some CDs, which contained videos. One of them is a video where I was given a standing ovation at an event where I advised Magu on how to fight corruption. It was about telling them not to do a one-sided anti-graft war, where you arrest activists and leave those in government.“
“I also tendered a letter dated May 2017, which I wrote to the then acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. In the letter, I raised 12 questions as to where the recovered loot and property were and if the property had been sold, to who and for how much. Tell Ojaomo to relax and that I have not yet started.”
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