Nigeria’s former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has robustly defended the anti-corruption legacy of late President Muhammadu Buhari, countering recent public criticism of his administration’s record.
Speaking on Arise News on Tuesday night, Malami asserted that corruption found no breathing space during Buhari’s tenure from 2015 to 2023.
“During the period of President Muhammadu Buhari, corruption was not thriving at all,” Malami stated firmly. “If you talk of convictions associated with high-profile corruption cases, the government recorded convictions in thousands.”
The former justice minister revealed staggering financial recoveries made under Buhari’s watch, disclosing that Nigeria reclaimed over $2 billion in looted funds during the administration. He highlighted two key structural reforms – the Treasury Single Account and Bank Verification Number – as game-changing measures against financial leakages.
“He brought about the Single Treasury Account, which created a governance-wide visibility associated with funding the finances of the government,” Malami explained, underscoring how the TSA system enhanced transparency in government transactions.
Malami further noted international recognition of Buhari’s anti-graft efforts, revealing that the African Union had named the late president as the continent’s anti-corruption champion. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime also commended Buhari’s administration for its corruption fight, according to the former AGF.
The defense comes amid growing public debate about the effectiveness of Buhari’s much-touted anti-corruption war, particularly following recent revelations of large-scale corruption during his administration. Malami’s comments seek to cement the narrative of Buhari as an incorruptible leader who institutionalized accountability mechanisms, even as critics point to several high-profile corruption cases that either stalled or resulted in acquittals during the period.
The former justice minister’s testimony provides official insight into the Buhari government’s anti-corruption metrics as the nation continues to assess the late president’s eight-year legacy. Buhari, who passed away on July 14, 2025, had made the fight against corruption a cornerstone of his political career and presidential agenda.
