[VIDEO] “We warned you as Minister under Buhari, the system is dealing with you now,” Sowore taunts Malami during courtroom encounter

Activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Monday took a swipe at Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation, recalling his alleged role in his prosecution under the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Malami served as attorney-general and minister of justice from 2015 to 2023 and is currently facing a 16-count charge of alleged money laundering filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

On April 15, the federal government revised the charges against Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, removing allegations related to terrorism financing.

Sowore himself was previously charged with treason during Buhari’s tenure after calling for protests. He was arrested by the Department of State Services on August 3, 2019, and spent 124 days in detention over charges including “treasonable felony, money laundering, and insulting the president”. He was later rearrested in December 2019 and detained again in early 2021.

The exchange between Sowore and Malami occurred during a chance meeting at a court lobby in Abuja, where Sowore revisited their past encounters.

“When you were in Buhari’s government, you were saying Sowore committed treason. See as they are dealing with you now,” Sowore said.

He also offered Malami a ‘Revolution Now’ cap, suggesting they were now aligned.

“Let us give him a revolution cap. We want to recruit you now that you know that there is failure in the system,” he added.

Malami declined the gesture, replying, “I have my own cap.”

Sowore continued his remarks, saying, “The system is dealing with you now. When I was coming to court and told you that this thing would end in disgrace.. we are now on the same side. Your table has turned to our side.”

Responding, Malami dismissed the claims and maintained his stance.

“I can never be down as far as Nigeria is concerned,” he said.

“The table has its own wheel.”

When asked if he still attends events of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Malami confirmed that he does, though he noted he was absent from the Ibadan summit.

“I have been attending, even though I couldn’t attend the Ibadan summit,” he said.

“Tables keep turning and I will keep sitting by the table.”

Click the link to watch the video.