Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has called for the immediate recusal of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from his ongoing investigation, alleging bias, personal vendetta, and political persecution following his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress.
In a press release issued on Monday by his media aide, Muhammad Doka, Malami accused the EFCC of conducting what he described as “illegal detention, media harassment and procedural abuse.”
He insisted that the probe against him was motivated by “deep-seated historical animosity” rather than legitimate law enforcement considerations.
“I have been clearly pre-judged and cannot receive a fair, objective or lawful investigation under the current leadership of the EFCC,” Malami said, referencing events during his tenure as AGF.
He noted that the current EFCC Chairman had served as Secretary to the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which had previously issued findings against him.
“The present investigation bears all the hallmarks of retaliatory persecution motivated by personal vengeance,” he added.
Malami formally urged the EFCC Chairman to step aside and called on the Attorney-General of the Federation to intervene.
He also demanded either his immediate arraignment or release within 24 hours, citing Sections 35(3), (4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution.
Raising further concerns, he accused the EFCC of attempting to rely on individuals convicted abroad as potential witnesses, describing such actions as “desperate, scandalous and corrosive to the integrity of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.”
Malami’s legal team has requested Certified True Copies of the petitions and investigation report to enable him prepare his defence.
“My singular objective is to clear my name openly and transparently before a court of competent jurisdiction.”
“The law must remain supreme—above politics, above power and above persons,” he concluded.
