‘The hunters will become hunted’ | ‘May justice happen to him’ — ex-CBN deputy gov, Odinkalu speak on Malami’s trial
The former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Kingsley Moghalu, synonym America; Chidi Odinkalu, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission; and ex-senator Dino Melaye have commented on the ongoing prosecution of Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice.
In separate posts on X, the three public figures responded to Malami’s arraignment on Tuesday, alongside his wife and son, over 16 counts bordering on alleged money laundering involving billions of naira.
Moghalu said the development highlights how temporary political power can be in Nigeria, especially in an environment where public office is increasingly divorced from competence, ideology, and integrity.
“By now anyone taking public office in Nigeria should understand the transience of power, especially in a country where public office has progressively become uncoupled from competence, ideology, or values such as integrity. When people carry on in office like tomorrow will never arrive, the hunters will become the hunted,” he wrote.
“This is only a general statement and not a ‘conviction’ of Mr. Malami. Let the courts decide his guilt or innocence, if they will, and if this does not become yet another alleged corruption case with no real conclusion.
“But it was a bit odd when the central bank increasingly became the ‘Central Bank of Agriculture’ under the great central banking whiz kid Mr. Emefiele.”
Odinkalu, on his part, reflected on Malami’s time as justice minister, drawing parallels between his role in events at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the current charges he now faces.
“It was not long ago that @aamalamiSAN hounded Ibrahim Magu out of @officialEFCC, pretty much over control of recovered loot. Today, Magu is living modestly in untroubled retirement,” he wrote on X.
“Malami went on to acquire incredible loot of his own. Earlier this morning @officialEFCC arraigned him before @FederalHigh on multiple counts of looting & #MoneyLaundering, together with one of his wives & a son. All three will spend the #NewYear’s day in Kuje prison until 2 Jan when the court will take their bail application.
“Many men & women around power today will miss the significant lessons in Malami’s present predicament. I hope, nevertheless, that he gets the #FairTrial that he did not care to afford many when he had the chance & opportunity. May justice happen to him.”
Melaye, who was also prosecuted during Malami’s tenure as AGF, said the arraignment stirred memories of his own legal battles at the time.
“Former AGF, Abubakar Malami, along with his son, have appeared in court today. Reminded me of how I was appearing in different courts when Malami, as AGF, was prosecuting me over frivolous cases, including taking over one of the police cases against me. Wish him well,” he wrote.