Malami Accuses EFCC Chairman of Bias, Seeks Withdrawal from Investigation

Abubakar Malami (SAN), a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, has requested that Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), recuse himself from any investigation or prosecution involving him, citing political persecution, bias, and personal grudges.

Following his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Malami claimed that the EFCC’s activities against him, including his imprisonment and impending prosecution, are politically motivated in a statement released by his media assistant, Mohammed Bello Doka.

Malami asserted that the investigation is motivated by long-standing personal hostility between him and the EFCC chairman rather than law enforcement issues.

He noted that the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry was established by the Federal Government to look into allegations of corruption and abuse of office inside the EFCC while he was Attorney-General.

Malami claims that the current EFCC chairman was mentioned in the committee’s report while serving as the panel’s secretary.

He claimed that portions of the publicly accessible Salaami study brought up grave concerns about the EFCC chairman, including suggestions that would have resulted in legal action.

Citing what he called “illegal detention, media trial, and procedural abuses,” Malami contended that the current investigation against him exhibits indications of retaliation.

Malami claimed that because of this, he has already been prejudiced and that the current EFCC leadership is unable to conduct a fair and impartial inquiry.

In order to maintain credibility and public confidence, he thus insisted that the EFCC chairman resign and that the matter be sent to another suitable government body.

As Nigeria’s top legal officer, the former justice minister also urged the Attorney-General of the Federation to step in and guarantee the EFCC chairman’s recusal in order to stop the misuse of prosecutorial authority.

Malami further insisted that charges be brought against him and that he be brought before the court within 24 hours in accordance with the Nigerian constitution, and that he be either immediately prosecuted or released.

He emphasized that the subject can only be fairly decided by a court of law, not a politically appointed body.

Additionally, he warned that the integrity of Nigeria’s legal system would be compromised if the EFCC relied on those who were purportedly convicted abroad as witnesses against him.

Malami stated that in order to prepare his defense, his legal team has formally obtained certified copies of the petitions and investigation reports that constitute the basis of the investigations.

“Let’s be clear and unambiguous: Abu Bakar Malami, SAN, does not seek any kind of political compromise, coercion, or alliance of convenience. His only goal is to clear his reputation in front of a court with the necessary authority in an open, transparent, and definitive manner.

“Nigeria must not degenerate into a republic where justice is replaced by retaliation and anti-corruption organizations are transformed into instruments of political intimidation.”

He insisted that he merely wants an honest and legal trial to clear his name and cautioned against using anti-corruption organizations as a means of political intimidation.