THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has again insisted that all the cases involving the agency and its acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu be transferred from Justice Binta Nyako ‘s court to any other judge of the Federal High Court.
The anti-graft agency through its counsel, Wahab Shittu had in a letter dated July 31 and addressed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati first requested for the transfer of all consolidated cases against Magu from Justice Nyako ‘s court.
The reason for the request was contained in another letter the agency wrote on July 30, 2018, to its counsel, authorising him to apply for a re-assignment of all the cases involving Magu and pending before Justice Nyako.
According to the letter of authority signed by Magu, the anti-graft agency said, “The application is necessary to avoid bias and conflict of interest because the commission is prosecuting the spouse and stepson of His Lordship, namely; Admiral Murtala Bhaji (rtd) and Senator Abdulazeez Nyako respectively.”
Worried by the delay in attending to its request, EFCC, in another letter dated October 5, 2018, and addressed to the registrar of Justice Nyako ‘s court reminding him of the earlier letter.
The letter reads in part, “Respectfully, we write to draw His Lordship’s attention to our letter dated 31st July 2018, addressed to the honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court conveying our client’s request to the Chief Judge to the Federal High Court that all matters concerning the subject matter above be transferred from this honourable court for reasons contained on our clients attached letter.
“Respectfully we tremble in requesting that our client’s position is respected in the interest of justice in this matter.
“Kindly draw his lordship attention to our clients ‘ predicament as expressed in an attached letter now receiving the consideration of his Lordship, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, ” Wahab Shittu stated.
The matters in question are; Barr Bello Bakari V AGF, Abubakar Sani V the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Jibrin Samuel Okutepa V President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Lady Chidinma Udebani.
Others are the Incorporated Trustees of Justice Mission International V AGF, Barr Alia Jamilu V President, Federal Republic of Nigeria&4 others, Emmanuel Esero V Ibrahim Magu, Registered Trustees of African Patriotic Youth Assembly V Ibrahim Magu &6 others.
Also, the agency wants the cases; Wale Balogun V the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 4 others, Chijioke Kanu V AGF and Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi V the Senate of Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 others be transferred.
In addition, the agency wants all other cases consolidated together with the earlier listed cases and added that the agency has no intention to malign or disparage the character of Justice Nyako.
Meanwhile, Justice Nyako had adjourned sine dine (indefinitely) all matters involving the EFCC and its acting chairman pending before her.
and then