Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of pursuing a politically driven investigation against him and has demanded that the commission’s chairman withdraw from the matter.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, on Monday, December 15, Malami alleged that the probe, including his detention and the threat of prosecution, is rooted in personal bias rather than law.
He linked the action to his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), claiming it has triggered retaliation from the EFCC leadership.
According to Malami, the EFCC chairman has an unresolved grievance dating back to the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which investigated corruption allegations within the commission during Malami’s time as Attorney-General.
He argued that this history makes it impossible for the EFCC, under its current leadership, to handle his case fairly.
He described the investigation as being characterised by unlawful detention, media trials and procedural violations, which he said point to a campaign of persecution rather than a genuine anti-corruption effort.
Malami therefore called for the EFCC chairman to recuse himself and for the case to be transferred to another government agency to preserve impartiality and public trust.
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The former justice minister also appealed to the incumbent Attorney-General of the Federation to step in, warning that continued involvement by the EFCC chairman could further undermine the credibility of the institution and amount to an abuse of prosecutorial authority.
Insisting on strict adherence to constitutional safeguards, Malami demanded that any allegations against him be tested promptly before a competent court, in line with Sections 35(3), (4) and (5) of the Constitution. He maintained that only the judiciary, and not what he termed a “politically compromised agency,” has the authority to determine his guilt or innocence.
He further alleged that the EFCC intends to rely on what he described as dubious witnesses, including persons previously convicted abroad, to support its case, a move he said would damage the integrity of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
Malami’s office confirmed that formal requests have been made for certified copies of the petitions and investigation reports underpinning the EFCC’s actions. The petitions were said to have been submitted by Human and Environmental Agenda and Grassroot Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance.
Reaffirming his willingness to submit to lawful judicial scrutiny, Malami said his goal is to clear his name through transparent legal processes, while cautioning against the politicisation of anti-corruption agencies.
“The law must remain supreme above politics, above power, and above persons,” he stated.
