Former South-East spokesman to President Bola Tinubu and Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly (FOF-MEHA), Mr. Josef Onoh, has accused former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), of hypocrisy and blatant disregard for the rule of law during his time in office.
In a statement issued from Paris, France, Onoh urged Malami to stop what he described as attempts to intimidate and blackmail the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, and instead submit himself to the ongoing investigations against him.
Onoh was reacting to Malami’s recent demand that Olukoyede should recuse himself from investigations involving him, citing alleged conflicts of interest linked to the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry report. According to Onoh, Malami’s claims of vendetta and political persecution were ironic, considering his own record as Attorney-General.
“It is particularly revealing that Mr. Malami now cries vendetta and persecution,” Onoh said, recalling that Malami’s tenure was marked by several controversial prosecutions, prolonged detentions, and repeated disobedience to court orders, many of which attracted widespread public criticism.
He referenced the 2020 removal of former EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, alleging that Malami played a central role by submitting multiple allegations against Magu to then President Muhammadu Buhari. Onoh noted that although Magu was investigated by the Justice Ayo Salami Panel and never prosecuted or convicted, his career was effectively brought to an end.
The former presidential aide also cited other high-profile cases under Malami’s watch, including the continued detention of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), despite multiple court orders granting him bail, as well as the prosecution of former PDP spokesperson, Olisa Metuh.
On the handling of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, Onoh alleged that actions taken during Malami’s tenure were widely condemned as heavy-handed and dismissive of court rulings.
“These actions clearly reflect the weaponisation of prosecutorial powers that Malami now complains about when the tables have turned,” Onoh stated.
He insisted that the EFCC’s investigation into Malami should proceed without interference, stressing that no former public office holder is above scrutiny. Onoh also dismissed Malami’s reliance on the Salami Panel report as grounds for Olukoyede’s recusal, arguing that the EFCC chairman’s former role as panel secretary does not constitute any legal or ethical conflict.
According to him, the law on recusal applies to judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings, not routine criminal investigations carried out by law enforcement agencies.
Onoh challenged Malami to submit himself to investigation and defend his record in court if he believes he has nothing to hide, rather than resorting to public accusations. He further called on the former AGF to publicly declare his assets as of 2010, before assuming high office, to allow Nigerians assess his financial growth over the years.
“The EFCC and its leadership must not be distracted. Nigerians want justice applied fairly, without fear or favour,” Onoh said, adding that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, attempts to weaken anti-corruption institutions would not succeed.
