Abubakar Malami (SAN), the 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 in a statement released by his media assistant, Mohammed Bello Doka, that the EFCC’s activities against him, including his imprisonment and impending prosecution, are politically motivated.
Malami asserted that the investigation is motivated by long-standing personal animosity between him and the EFCC chairman rather than by law enforcement concerns.
He noted that the Federal Government established the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry to look into claims of corruption and abuse of authority within the EFCC while he was Attorney-General.
Malami claims that the current EFCC chairman was mentioned in the committee’s report and served as the panel’s secretary.
He claimed that portions of the publicly accessible Salami report brought up grave concerns about the EFCC chairman, including suggestions that would have resulted in legal action.
Malami used what he called “illegal detention, media trial, and procedural abuses” to support his claim 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 an impartial or fair inquiry.
In order to maintain credibility and public confidence, he insisted that the EFCC chairman resign and that the matter be moved to another suitable government body.
In order to prevent abuse of prosecution powers, the former justice minister also urged Nigeria’s senior legal officer, the Attorney-General of the Federation, to step in and guarantee the EFCC chairman’s recusal.
Malami also insisted that charges be brought against him and that he be brought to court within 24 hours in accordance with the Nigerian constitution, and he demanded either his immediate prosecution or his release.
He emphasized that the subject can only be fairly decided by a court of law, not by a politically appointed body.
Additionally, he warned that the integrity of Nigeria’s legal system would be compromised if the EFCC employed those who had purportedly been convicted overseas as witnesses against him.
Malami stated that in order to prepare his defense, his legal team has formally asked for certified copies of the petitions and investigation reports that constitute the basis of the investigation.
“Let’s be clear and unambiguous: Abu Bakar Malami, SAN, does not seek any kind of political compromise, coercion, or coalition. His only goal is to clear his reputation in front of a court of competent jurisdiction in an open, transparent, and definitive manner.
“Nigeria cannot degenerate into a republic where justice is replaced by vengeance or where anti-corruption agencies are transformed into instruments of political intimidation.”
He insisted that he wants an open and legal trial to clear his name rather than a political agreement, cautioning against using anti-corruption organizations as a means of political intimidation.
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