Fresh Corruption Allegations Surface Against Former Justice Minister
New revelations have emerged regarding alleged corruption involving former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, following explosive claims made by Abdulrasheed Maina, the former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms.
Maina's Startling Claims About Misappropriated Funds
During a recent event in Abuja where he received the Rule of Law and Courage Award from the Nigerian Bar Association's Garki branch, Maina asserted that assets currently traced to Malami represent only a small fraction of what was allegedly misappropriated. "Malami allegedly stole a lot of funds. What the government has seen so far is not even one quarter," Maina declared, suggesting that authorities have merely scratched the surface of the alleged corruption.
The former pension reform boss expressed confidence that significantly more assets could be recovered if investigations were expanded beyond their current scope. He questioned the significance of the amounts already uncovered, asking rhetorically, "What is N270 billion?" while implying that the actual sums involved far exceed what has been publicly revealed.
Allegations of High-Level Pressure Tactics
In a particularly dramatic revelation, Maina recounted how senior officials from the Buhari administration allegedly traveled to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to pressure him to return to Nigeria while he was abroad. According to his account, the delegation included:
- The late President Muhammadu Buhari
- Former Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun
- Ex-National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno
- Former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami
"How could somebody come to Abu Dhabi?" Maina questioned, describing how the officials allegedly begged him to return and later pressured his mother to insist on his return to Nigeria.
Connection to Jonathan-Era Recoveries
Maina suggested that this pressure stemmed from disclosures made by former President Goodluck Jonathan about his role in recovering substantial public funds during Jonathan's administration. He claimed Jonathan had informed Buhari's team that he helped recover N1.63 trillion and 227 properties while serving as chairman of the pension reform task force.
"Jonathan had told them that I recovered N1.63 trillion during his time. This can be verified by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala," Maina stated, referencing the former finance minister who now serves as Director-General of the World Trade Organization.
Current Legal Proceedings Against Malami
These fresh allegations emerge as Abubakar Malami continues to face legal challenges. The former minister is currently standing trial alongside his wife and son over allegations bordering on money laundering. He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and initially remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja before being granted bail.
On January 7, a Federal High Court in Abuja admitted Malami to bail in the sum of N500 million as legal proceedings continue. This development follows Malami's previous denial of reports that arms and ammunition were found at his residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, with his media assistant describing such reports as part of a "media trial."
Contrasting Approaches to Accountability
Maina commended the current administration for what he described as a more transparent approach to accountability, contrasting it with the previous government under President Buhari. "Yes, the government is doing the right thing. There must be accountability, transparency and the rule of law, which is what I see the government doing, as against what obtained in the last administration," he added.
The former pension reform boss emphasized the importance of thorough investigations and comprehensive asset recovery efforts, suggesting that only through expanded scrutiny could the full extent of alleged misappropriation be uncovered and addressed through proper legal channels.
