The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has stated that he holds no personal grudge against Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday, Olukoyede addressed the corruption allegations involving Malami, explaining that the investigation files were already in existence before he assumed office.
In December 2025, the EFCC arraigned Malami before a federal high court in Abuja over alleged money laundering offences. The former justice minister was charged alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Bashir Asabe, on a 16-count charge. All the defendants pleaded not guilty.
Background
Malami has claimed that his arrest, investigation and “threatened prosecution” were politically driven, following his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He also called on Olukoyede to step aside from the probe, citing an alleged indictment of the EFCC chairman by the Ayo Salami judicial commission of inquiry.
‘PUBLISH THE REPORT FOR PEOPLE TO SEE’
Responding to the allegations, Olukoyede said anyone claiming he was indicted should make the report of the panel public.
According to the EFCC boss, his leadership ensured that the case was handled with professionalism and thoroughness.
“We carried out our investigation in the most professional way. Let me tell you about that particular former attorney-general that you are talking about. There is nothing personal in this matter,” he said.
He stressed that Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts must be pursued without political bias.
“If Nigeria is to move forward, all of us must agree that this fight must be fought without being partisan, and that’s what I want Nigerians to understand and to agree with us.
“I want to tell Nigerians that the investigation of this man predated me in the office. I inherited the investigation file.
“What I did is to ensure that the investigation was carried out in the most professional and thorough manner. He has been under investigation for two and a half years.
“The file was opened in the previous EFCC administration. For the past two years I have been in office, I have been painstakingly carrying out investigation to establish some of the offences.
“There is nothing personal about it. I don’t understand the issue of persecution.
“Those who claimed I was indicted by the Justice Ayo Salami panel, the onus is on them to publish the report for people to see,” Olukoyede added.