Why EFCC Chairman is After Me — Malami

Abubakar Malami has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of targeting him for political reasons and called on its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to recuse himself from the ongoing investigation.

In a statement released on Monday by his media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, the former attorney-general of the federation said his detention, investigation, and threatened prosecution followed his defection to the African Democratic Congress. “This investigation is driven by historical animosity and personal vendetta rather than genuine law enforcement concerns,” Malami said.

He recalled that during his tenure as attorney-general, the federal government established the Ayo Salami judicial commission of inquiry to probe allegations of corruption and abuse of office within the EFCC. “Olukoyede served as secretary to that commission, whose report contains serious findings implicating him, particularly in chapter nine,” Malami added.

Malami said the circumstances surrounding the current investigation indicated he had been pre-judged. “I cannot receive a fair, objective, or lawful investigation under Olukoyede’s leadership,” he stated, urging that the matter be transferred to another enforcement agency to restore credibility and public confidence.

He also appealed to the attorney-general of the federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to intervene and prevail on Olukoyede to step aside. “The EFCC chairman must hands off this case to prevent further institutional damage,” Malami said.

Demanding either immediate prosecution or release, Malami insisted he should be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction within 24 hours, in accordance with sections 35(3), (4), and (5) of the constitution. He accused the EFCC of attempting to rely on individuals convicted by foreign courts as witnesses against him, calling the move “desperate, scandalous, and corrosive to the integrity of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.”

Malami said his legal team had requested certified true copies of the petitions forming the basis of the investigation, including one by Human and Environmental Agenda dated September 11, 2023, and another by Grassroot Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance, as well as the EFCC’s investigation report. “These documents are necessary for me to prepare my defence,” he said.

Stressing that he was not seeking political settlement or inducement, Malami added, “My sole objective is to clear my name before a court of competent jurisdiction. Nigeria must not degenerate into a republic where anti-corruption agencies are converted into tools of political intimidation. The law must remain supreme—above politics, above power, and above persons.”