The former attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami, has called on Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to recuse himself from overseeing the investigation against him.
In a statement released on Monday by his media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami alleged that his detention, investigation and “threatened prosecution” were politically driven, following his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He claimed the EFCC’s actions were rooted in “historical animosity” and a “personal vendetta”, rather than legitimate law enforcement objectives.
Malami recalled that during his tenure as attorney-general, the federal government constituted the Ayo Salami judicial commission of inquiry to probe allegations of corruption and abuse of office within the EFCC.
He noted that Olukoyede served as secretary to the commission and argued that the report contains weighty findings against the EFCC chairman, particularly in chapter nine.
According to Malami, the circumstances surrounding the ongoing probe indicate that he has already been prejudged and cannot expect a fair, impartial or lawful investigation under Olukoyede’s leadership.
He therefore requested that the case be reassigned to another appropriate law enforcement agency to restore public trust and institutional credibility.
The former AGF also appealed to Lateef Fagbemi, the current attorney-general of the federation, to intervene by urging the EFCC chairman to step aside in order to avert further damage to the institution.
Malami demanded either his immediate arraignment or release, insisting that he must be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction within 24 hours, in accordance with sections 35(3), (4) and (5) of the constitution.
He further accused the EFCC of attempting to rely on individuals convicted by foreign courts and currently serving criminal sentences abroad as witnesses against him, describing the alleged move as “desperate, scandalous, and corrosive to the integrity of Nigeria’s criminal justice system”.
Malami disclosed that his legal team had formally requested certified true copies of the petitions that triggered the investigation, including one submitted 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, stating that the documents were essential for the preparation of his defence.
Malami stressed that he was not seeking any form of political compromise or inducement, but only aimed 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.”