Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of targeting him for political reasons, describing an ongoing investigation and threatened prosecution as a “witch-hunt.” He has called on the EFCC Chairman to step aside from the case, citing alleged bias and personal animosity.
In a press statement issued on Monday, Malami claimed the probe—and his reported detention—were driven by hostility linked to his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He alleged that the EFCC Chairman bears a long-standing grudge dating back to the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which examined corruption allegations within the EFCC during Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General.
According to Malami, the investigation is riddled with “illegal detentions, media harassment, and procedural abuses,” arguing that these actions point to retaliatory persecution rather than a fair inquiry. He insisted that under the current EFCC leadership, the agency cannot conduct an objective investigation into his affairs.
Malami formally demanded that the EFCC Chairman recuse himself and that the case be handed over to another government agency to safeguard impartiality, credibility, and public trust. He also urged the current Attorney-General of the Federation to intervene, warning that continued involvement by the EFCC Chairman could further damage institutions and amount to abuse of prosecutorial powers.
Emphasising due process, Malami called for immediate arraignment before a competent court, citing Sections 35(3), (4), and (5) of the Nigerian Constitution. He maintained that only a court—rather than what he described as a politically compromised agency—has the authority to adjudicate the matter lawfully.
He further accused the EFCC of planning to rely on questionable witnesses, including individuals convicted abroad, to support its case, describing such tactics as “desperate, scandalous, and corrosive” to Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
The statement also confirmed that Malami’s office has requested certified copies of all petitions and investigation reports underpinning the EFCC’s actions, including those submitted by Human and Environmental Agenda and Grassroot Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance.
Malami concluded by saying his goal is to clear his name through transparent, lawful judicial processes, while warning against the politicisation of anti-corruption agencies. “The law must remain supreme—above politics, above power, and above persons,” he said.
