Malami screams witch-hunt, demands withdrawal of EFCC chairman from probe

Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of pursuing a politically motivated investigation against him, calling on the Commission’s Chairman to immediately recuse himself from the matter.

In a press statement issued on Monday, by Mohammed Doka, his Special Assistant on Media, Malami described the ongoing investigation and his alleged detention as a “witch-hunt” driven by personal animosity rather than evidence, insisting that the EFCC leadership lacks the objectivity required to handle his case.

Malami linked the probe to his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleging that the EFCC Chairman harbours a long-standing grudge against him stemming from the Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

The commission, set up during Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General, investigated allegations of corruption within the EFCC.

According to the former justice minister, the current investigation is characterised by “illegal detentions, media harassment and procedural abuses,” which he said point clearly to retaliatory persecution rather than a lawful anti-corruption exercise.

Read also: EFCC playing politics with Malami’s bail revocation – ADC

“The present investigation, marked by illegal detentions, media harassment, and procedural abuses bears all the hallmarks of retaliatory persecution motivated by personal vengeance,” Malami said.

He argued that, under the present circumstances, the EFCC cannot conduct a fair, impartial or objective investigation into allegations against him.

To restore credibility and public confidence, Malami formally demanded that the EFCC Chairman step aside and that the case be transferred to another government agency untainted by personal bias.

Malami also called on the current Attorney-General of the Federation to intervene, warning that continued involvement of the EFCC Chairman could further erode public trust in anti-corruption institutions and amount to an abuse of prosecutorial powers.

Emphasising the need for strict adherence to constitutional safeguards, Malami insisted on immediate judicial oversight of the matter.

Read also: EFCC investigates 46 bank accounts linked to Malami

He urged that, if there is a case to answer, he should be promptly arraigned before a competent court in line with Sections 35(3), (4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“Only a court of law, not a politically compromised investigative agency can lawfully and fairly adjudicate this matter,” he stated.

The former Attorney-General further accused the EFCC of planning to rely on what he described as questionable witnesses, including individuals convicted abroad, to strengthen its case against him.

He characterised such an approach as “desperate, scandalous, and corrosive to the integrity of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.”

The statement disclosed that Malami’s legal team has formally requested certified true copies of the petitions and investigation reports forming the basis of the EFCC’s actions.

The petitions were reportedly submitted by Human and Environmental Agenda and Grassroot Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance.

Malami maintained that his objective is not to evade scrutiny but to clear his name transparently through lawful and impartial judicial processes.

He warned against the politicisation of anti-corruption agencies, stressing that such practices undermine democracy and the rule of law.

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

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