TheCable

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), on Thursday failed to appear before the senate committee on judiciary, human rights and legal matters — an action the upper chamber dubbed “a slap in the face”.

This is the second time he has failed to honour the invitation of the senate over a charge of forgery he filed against Bukola Saraki, senate president, and Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, at an Abuja high court.

Although, he sent a representative, the committee did not give him audience.

David Umaru, chairman of the committee, expressed displeasure over Malami’s action, saying: “The purpose of this hearing was to defend Nigeria’s democracy but the attorney-general has faulted the invitation of the senate again.”

Also speaking, a member of the committee, Chukwuka Utazi, described the action of the AGF as a slap in the face of the senate.

“This is a slap in the face of the senate as the AGF has refused to appear before the committee after being summoned,” he said. “We just want to ask the AGF a few questions to clarify all these issues, but he has failed to respond to our invitation.”

The committee chairman said that he would report to the senate for a next line of action.

Last Tuesday, the upper legislative chamber had summoned Malami, but he failed to honour the invitation.

On Tuesday, the senate summoned him again to appear before it on Thursday, but he did not show up.

A letter from the committee summoning Malami read: “I write with reference to your (AGF) correspondence on the above subject matter with Ref HAGF/NASS/ZOIG/Vol.1/24, dated 23rd June, 2016, whereby you requested for an adjournment of the meeting of the committee, which was supposed to hold on Thursday, June 23, 2016, to enable you prepare your response.

“The committee has considered your request and having regard to the reason adduced, acceded to the request for an adjournment. Accordingly, the meeting is now scheduled to hold on Thursday 30th June 2016 at 12 noon prompt.

“The venue is Senate Meeting Room 31.3, 3rd Floor, New Senate Building, National Assembly Complex. You are by this letter invited to appear before the mentioned place above‎.”

Saraki and Ekweremadu are facing charges of criminal conspiracy and forgery instituted against them by the AGF at an Abuja high court.