Africa-Press – Nigeria. Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has asked the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to recuse himself from any investigation or prosecution involving him, alleging bias, personal vendetta, and political persecution.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami said the EFCC’s actions against him, including his detention and planned prosecution, are politically motivated, following his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Malami claimed the investigation is not based on law enforcement concerns but on long-standing personal animosity between him and the EFCC chairman. He recalled that while serving as Attorney-General, the Federal Government set up the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe alleged corruption and abuse of office within the EFCC.
According to Malami, the current EFCC chairman served as secretary to that panel and was mentioned in the commission’s report.
He said parts of the Salami Report, which is publicly available, raised serious issues against the EFCC chairman, including recommendations that could have led to prosecution.
Malami argued that the current probe against him shows signs of retaliation, citing what he described as illegal detention, media trial, and procedural abuses.
Based on this, Malami said he has already been pre-judged and cannot receive a fair or impartial investigation under the present EFCC leadership.
He therefore demanded that the EFCC chairman step aside and that the case be transferred to another appropriate government agency to ensure credibility and public trust.
The former justice minister also called on the Attorney-General of the Federation, as Nigeria’s chief law officer, to intervene and ensure the EFCC chairman’s recusal to prevent abuse of prosecutorial powers.
Malami further demanded either his immediate prosecution or release, insisting that charges be filed and he be taken to court within 24 hours, in line with the Nigerian Constitution.
He stressed that only a court of law not a politically compromised agencycan fairly decide the matter.
He also accused the EFCC of planning to rely on individuals allegedly convicted abroad as witnesses against him, warning that such a move would undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system.
Malami said his legal team has formally requested certified copies of the petitions and investigation reports forming the basis of the probe, to allow him prepare his defence.
“Let it be stated clearly and without equivocation: Abubakar Malami, SAN, seeks no political settlement, no inducement, and no alliance of convenience. His singular objective is to clear his name openly, transparently, and decisively before a court of competent jurisdiction.”
“Nigeria must not degenerate into a republic where anti-corruption agencies are converted into tools of political intimidation, nor where justice is replaced by vendetta.”
He maintained that he seeks no political deal, only an open and lawful trial to clear his name, warning against turning anti-corruption agencies into tools for political intimidation.
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