A businessman and property developer, Mr Cecil Osakwe, through his lawyer, Barrister Victor Giwa, Monday told a High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory how the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, used the office he occupied for about eight years to pursue personal interest.
The plaintiff also told Justice Oluyemisi Adelaja, that those entrusted with responsibilities of public office should learn to put their personal interest aside in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Barrister Giwa, at the hearing of the case filed by Osakwe, alleged abuse of office against Malami, saying the bailiff of the court was mobilized to serve the processes on all the parties in the matter.
Apart from the plaintiff alleging abuse of office, he is equally seeking an order to compel the AGF to pay N1billion as damages to him.
When the case came up in court, Barrister Giwa told the court that all parties are aware of the pendency of the matter.
He stated that the bailiff was mobilised to serve processes on parties.
He said, “My lord, the second respondent (Malami) is not represented in court and the claimant is ready to open his case.
“We mobilised the bailiff to serve the respondents in this matter. This case is very important to the claimant. With this case, we need to send message to public officers that they cannot use their office to pursue personal interest.”
In his response, counsel to Asabe Waziri, first respondent in the matter, Mr. C.J. Abengowe, said the case was supposed to be for hearing but since the second respondent is not represented in court, the case cannot be heard.
Justice Adelaja, fixed the case for October 17, adding that proof of service to necessary parties should be made available.
