8.4 C
New York
Sunday, October 13, 2024

“Look Elsewhere EFCC, We Didn’t Leak Report That CJN Is Under Probe” – AGF

Published:

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

Is Buhari Taking Nigeria For Granted?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has refutted the claim by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that his Office leaked the information that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen is under investigation alongside some other former and serving government and judicial officers for alleged corruption.
Comrade Salihu Othman Isah
, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, revealed this on Friday in Abuja.
 
He denied the allegation through a statement tagged, ‘Rebuttal that Information on the Supposed Investigation of His Lordship, Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen, GCON and Others for Alleged Corruption Leaked from the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice’ and made available to newsmen Friday
 
The AGF insisted that it did not at any time leak such information to the media as wrongly alluded by the EFCC, adding that the pertinent question to ask is since the Agency has publicly denied that the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria is not under probe or investigation; is it then possible for the same EFCC to have forwarded any classified information on a non-existent probe or investigation of the Honourable CJN to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation?
Malami also averred that the position of Commission on the issue also goes to show that his office couldn’t have leaked a non-existent classified information on an equally non-existent probe or investigation.
 
The statement dated September 08, 2017 reads in full that: ”The attention of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has been drawn to a report in the media space insinuating that the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON and other former and serving government and judicial officers are under investigation for alleged corruption.“The report also listed other high-profile Nigerians who it claimed are purportedly under investigation for corruption to include former Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, present Minister of Solid Minerals Development and former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, a sitting judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice Abdu Kafarati, among others.“The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice wishes to express his displeasure over the unfortunate and unbecoming innuendo by certain persons and agencies which sought to accuse his office of leaking what was termed as classified information to the public.

“This office therefore wish to state categorically, but with absolute repudiation, that it did not at any time leak such information to the media as wrongly alluded by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The pertinent question to ask is since the EFCC has publicly denied that the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria is not under probe or investigation; is it then possible for the same EFCC to have forwarded any classified information on a non-existent probe or investigation of the Honourable CJN to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation? It also goes to show that the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation could not have leaked a non-existent classified information on an equally non-existent probe or investigation.

“The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice strongly frowns at any unsavoury attempt or conspiracy to drag his office and that of the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria into petty squabbles in the midst of burning national issues.

“We therefore use this opportunity to reaffirm our deep respect for the distinguished person and office of the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, and we will never be party to any unpatriotic effort to denigrate his exalted office. We wish to state unequivocally that the office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation will continue to collaborate with His Lordship in his efforts to reform the judiciary and galvanize the anti-graft war. Indeed the present administration appreciates His Lordship for his unwavering support for its anti-corruption drive.

“We wish to state further that we are neither aware of nor privy to any purported probe or ongoing investigation of the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria by any security or anti-graft agency. The office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation dissociates itself from the baseless allusion or suggestion obviously made in bad faith to the effect that His Lordship is under any form of probe or investigation whatsoever.

“In view of the above, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice wishes to emphatically reiterate that he has profound confidence in the Chief Justice of Nigeria and wishes His Lordship the very best in the discharge or performance of his daunting duties to the nation at large.”

- Advertisement -spot_img

Hey there! Exciting news - we've deactivated our website's comment provider to focus on more interactive channels! Join the conversation on our stories through Facebook, Twitter, and other social media pages, and let's chat, share, and connect in the best way possible!

Join our social media

For even more exclusive content!

- Advertisement -spot_img

TOP STORIES

- Advertisement -spot_img
- Advertisement -

Of The Week
CARTOON

247Ureports Protects its' news articles from plagiarism as an important part of maintaining the integrity of our website.