Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has called on the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to step aside from an investigation involving him, alleging bias, personal vendetta and political persecution.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Muhammad Doka, Malami said he could not receive a fair investigation under the current EFCC leadership, accusing the commission of “procedural abuse, media harassment and illegal detention.”
“I have been clearly pre-judged and cannot receive a fair, objective or lawful investigation under the current leadership of the EFCC,” Malami said.
The former justice minister linked the alleged bias to events during his tenure as AGF, when the Federal Government set up the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe corruption allegations within the EFCC.
Malami noted that the current EFCC chairman served as secretary to the commission and claimed the panel’s report contained adverse findings against him.
“Given this history, the present investigation bears the hallmarks of retaliatory persecution motivated by personal vengeance,” he alleged.
Malami urged the Attorney-General of the Federation to intervene and ensure the matter is transferred to another law enforcement agency to “restore credibility and public confidence.”
He warned that failure to do so could cause “serious institutional damage.”
He also demanded that the EFCC either arraign him in court or release him within 24 hours, citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution on personal liberty.
“Only a court of competent jurisdiction—not a politically compromised agency—can lawfully and credibly adjudicate this matter,” he said.
Raising further concerns, Malami accused the EFCC of attempting to rely on individuals convicted by foreign courts and currently serving sentences abroad as potential witnesses, describing such a move as “desperate and corrosive to the integrity of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.”
According to the statement, his legal team has taken steps to protect his rights, including requesting certified true copies of petitions that prompted the investigation and the commission’s investigation report.
“I seek no political settlement or inducement,” Malami said.
“My singular objective is to clear my name openly and transparently. Nigeria must not become a country where anti-corruption agencies are used as tools of political intimidation.”
