Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has asked the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to recuse himself from the ongoing investigation and proposed prosecution against him, alleging bias and political persecution.
In a statement issued on Monday, December 15, Malami described the probe as a politically driven “witch-hunt,” claiming it is fueled by personal hostility following his recent defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He alleged that the EFCC Chairman’s actions are rooted in a longstanding grudge linked to the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which probed corruption allegations within the EFCC during Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General.
According to Malami, the investigation has been characterized by unlawful detention, media intimidation, and procedural violations, all of which he said point to a retaliatory agenda rather than a genuine pursuit of justice.
He maintained that under the current leadership, the EFCC cannot conduct a fair or impartial investigation into his affairs. Consequently, Malami formally demanded that the EFCC Chairman step aside and that the case be transferred to another government agency to preserve objectivity, credibility, and public trust.
Malami also called on the current Attorney-General of the Federation to intervene, warning that the EFCC Chairman’s continued involvement could further undermine institutions and amount to an abuse of prosecutorial powers.
Emphasizing the need for judicial oversight, he insisted on being promptly arraigned before a competent court in line with Sections 35(3), (4), and (5) of the Nigerian Constitution, stressing that only the courts—not a politically compromised agency—have the authority to determine his guilt or innocence.
He further accused the EFCC of intending to rely on questionable witnesses, including individuals convicted abroad, to support its case, describing such tactics as “desperate, scandalous, and damaging to the integrity of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.”
The statement confirmed that Malami’s legal team has formally requested certified copies of the petitions and investigation reports upon which the EFCC is acting, including petitions reportedly submitted by Human and Environmental Agenda and Grassroot Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance.
Malami concluded by stating that his goal is to clear his name through transparent and lawful judicial processes, cautioning against the politicization of anti-corruption agencies. “The rule of law must prevail—above politics, power, and personalities,” he said.
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