Salami Panel Declines Magu’s Request To Record Proceedings, Guarantees Fair Hearing

The presidential committee probing suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, says it will not be partial towards him.

The committee, headed by Ayo Salami, retired president of the appeal court, is probing the activities of the agency under Magu.

According to TheCable, the embattled chairman had requested for video recording of activities during proceeding earlier in the day but the panel didn’t accede to his request.

A source who’s familiar with the situation said video recording equipment cannot be used as the venue of the probe is not permanent one.

“The members are not conducting a trial or inquiry on Mr Ibrahim Magu nor the EFCC,” the source quoted Salami to have said.

“This is not a panel but a committee saddled only with investigation. The request of Mr Ibrahim Magu for the video recording of the proceedings cannot be granted because the previous recordings of the proceedings at the beginning was unauthorised by the investigation committee and the committee does not know the purpose such recordings will serve.

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“The venue of the sitting of the committee is temporary and therefore it is impossible to install video recording equipment as requested by Magu. Even the superior courts of records do not have video recording facilities and lack of such facilities does not infringe on fair hearing.

“The committee undertakes to guarantee fair hearing to Magu and all appearing before it in its fact finding exercise.”

Magu was arrested and detained on Monday, July 6, 2020, following summons by the presidential panel.