Peter Abang, a lawyer, has petitioned Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and the Minister of Justice, requesting the opening of a criminal investigation into and prosecution of Yusuf Magaji Bichi.
Abang requested that Malami bring charges against Bichi for his part in the failed scheme to frame Governor Godwin Emefiele of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for supporting terrorism and financial crimes.
The lawyer's plea, which was made accessible to Prime 9ja Online in Abuja on Tuesday, was in response to the CBN governor's court clearance, which characterised the scheme as oppressive and without foundation.
The attorney requested a thorough criminal investigation into the events surrounding the DSS's unsuccessful attempt to frame the CBN governor on claims and fabricated terrorist funding charges, as well as other other offences, in the petition dated December 30, 2022.
He claims that in the case he does not grant the request within seven days, the letter acts as a notice to begin a mandamus proceeding to force the Office of the AGF to arrest and prosecute any linked people.
The petition read in part: “In view of the above suit filed by the State Security Services, which the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the Hon, Justice John Tsoho delivered its ruling on 9th December, 2022. A certified copy of the ruling is attached.
“We are by this letter respectfully requesting that your good offices commence a full scale criminal inquiry into the circumstances Ieading to the failed attempt by the State Security Services (otherwise known as the Department of State Services) to frame the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on allegations and trumped up terrorism financing charges as well as other sundry offences.
“We also request that your offices conduct a thorough investigation and ultimately arrest and prosecute all persons and/or parties connected to the failed rogue operation in the overall interest of Nigeria.
“Note that this letter serves as a notice to commence an action for mandamus to compel your offices to arrest and prosecute all persons and/or parties who are connected in the event that you fail at accede to our request within 7 days from the date of service of this letter to you.”