Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has issued a strong demand for the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to step aside from an ongoing investigation targeting him. Malami labeled the probe a politically driven "witch-hunt" and warned of its potential to damage institutional integrity.
A Call for Recusal and Allegations of Bias
In a statement released on Monday, December 15, Malami argued that the EFCC chairman is incapable of conducting a fair investigation. He cited a historical grudge linked to the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which looked into corruption claims within the EFCC during Malami's tenure as the nation's chief law officer.
"The present investigation—marked by illegal detentions, media harassment, and procedural abuses—bears all the hallmarks of retaliatory persecution motivated by personal vengeance," Malami stated. He directly connected the probe to his recent political defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Formal Demands and Legal Arguments
The former minister has formally requested that the EFCC chairman recuse himself entirely. He insists the case should be transferred to another government agency to ensure impartiality and restore public confidence. Malami also called on the current Attorney-General of the Federation to intervene in the matter.
Emphasizing the need for judicial oversight, Malami urged for his immediate arraignment before a competent court. He referenced Sections 35(3), (4), and (5) of the Nigerian Constitution, stating that only a court of law, and not a "politically compromised agency," has the lawful authority to adjudicate the allegations against him.
Serious Accusations and the Path Forward
Malami leveled further serious accusations against the anti-graft agency's methods. He claimed the EFCC plans to rely on witnesses with questionable credibility, including individuals convicted abroad, to build its case. He described this approach as "desperate, scandalous, and corrosive to the integrity of Nigeria’s criminal justice system."
His office confirmed it has formally requested certified copies of the petitions and investigation reports underpinning the EFCC's actions. These are said to include petitions from groups named Human and Environmental Agenda and Grassroot Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance.
Malami concluded by stressing that his ultimate goal is to clear his name transparently through proper legal channels. He warned against the dangerous politicization of anti-corruption agencies, asserting that "The law must remain supreme—above politics, above power, and above persons."
