Malami alleges witch-hunt, says EFCC chair was indicted by Salami panel

Abubakar Malami, the former attorney-general of the federation, has asked Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to step aside from his investigation.

In a statement on Monday by Mohammed Bello Doka, his media aide, Malami said his detention, investigation and “threatened prosecution” were politically motivated following his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He alleged that the EFCC’s actions were driven by “historical animosity” and a “personal vendetta” rather than genuine law enforcement concerns.

Malami said while serving as attorney-general, the federal government constituted the Ayo Salami judicial commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of corruption and abuse of office within the EFCC.

He added that Olukoyede served as secretary to the commission, whose report, according to Malami, contains serious findings implicating the EFCC chairman, particularly in chapter nine.

Malami said the circumstances surrounding the current investigation showed that he had been pre-judged and could not receive a fair, objective or lawful investigation under Olukoyede’s leadership.

He asked that the matter be transferred to another appropriate enforcement agency to restore credibility and public confidence.

Malami also called on Lateef Fagbemi, the attorney-general of the federation, to prevail on the EFCC chairman to recuse himself to prevent further institutional damage.

The former AGF demanded his immediate prosecution or release, insisting that he be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction within 24 hours in line with sections 35(3), (4) and (5) of the constitution.

Malami accused the EFCC of attempting to rely on individuals convicted by foreign courts and serving criminal sentences abroad as witnesses against him.

He described the alleged move as “desperate, scandalous, and corrosive to the integrity of Nigeria’s criminal justice system”.

Malami said his legal team had requested certified true copies of 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.

He also demanded certified true copies of the EFCC’s investigation report, which he said, were necessary to prepare his defence.

Malami said he was not seeking any political settlement or inducement, adding that his sole objective was to clear his 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,” he said.

“The law must remain supreme—above politics, above power, and above persons.”