The erstwhile attorney general of the federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has demanded that his corruption probe be transferred from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to another investigative body.
Mr Malami, in a statement on Wednesday by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, faulted the “continued involvement” of EFCC chair Ola Olukoyede in the ongoing probe.
The former justice minister claimed Mr Olukoyede’s alleged involvement “is legally untenable, morally indefensible, and constitutionally impermissible.”
Mr Malami demanded “the immediate recusal of the EFCC chairman from all matters relating to Abubakar Malami, SAN.”
He also sought “the intervention of the attorney-general of the federation to ensure that this matter is transferred to a neutral and independent investigative authority. The prompt institution of charges, if any, before a competent court of law, where evidence—not vendetta—will prevail.”
Maintaining that Mr Olukoyede recuse himself, Mr Malami stated, “No person is permitted to sit in judgment over a matter in which they have a personal interest or prior exposure.”
Mr Malami noted that while serving as the AGF, he supervised the establishment of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate allegations of corruption and abuse of office within the EFCC.
“At the material time, the current EFCC chairman served as secretary to the commission,” he noted.
He stated that Chapter 9 of the Salami Report addressed the conduct and responsibilities of senior EFCC officials, particularly those occupying key administrative and decision-making positions within the commission.
“Viewed against this background, the present actions of the EFCC cannot reasonably be interpreted as neutral law enforcement. They amount to retaliatory persecution driven by historical animosity and personal vendetta,” he stated.
The former AGF accused the EFCC of violating his rights through media trials, restrictions on his liberty, and harassment, without being timely arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.
“This approach undermines not only the constitutional rights of Abubakar Malami, SAN, but also the credibility and integrity of Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions,” he said.
While alleging that the EFCC’s conduct confirms a shift from institutional accountability to the settlement of personal scores and grievances under the guise of law enforcement, Mr Malami said he is “ready and willing to submit himself to a neutral and independent investigative process, insists on being tried only before a court of competent jurisdiction, and rejects political settlements, intimidation, or compromise.”
