Malami Demands EFCC Chairman Recuse Self, Alleges Political Persecution
Former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has intensified his public dispute with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), demanding the immediate withdrawal of its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, from the ongoing corruption investigation against him and urging that the case be handed over to another government enforcement agency.
In a strongly worded statement released by his media aide on Monday, Malami accused the EFCC of conducting a politically motivated witch‑hunt against him, driven by personal animosity rather than legitimate law enforcement imperatives.
He insists that the probe has been tainted by what he described as bias and vendetta, linked to past institutional interactions between himself and the current EFCC leadership.
Malami referenced his role in the establishment of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which examined alleged corruption within the EFCC during his tenure as AGF.
The former minister claims that the EFCC chairman served as secretary to that commission and was adversely mentioned in its report, a factor he now says has prompted what he terms “retaliatory persecution.”
The ex‑minister also tied the timing of the investigation to his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleging that his bail was revoked and detention prolonged because of his political activities.
He has called on the current Attorney‑General of the Federation to intervene, arguing that only a neutral enforcement agency can ensure an impartial process.
Malami further demanded that he be either promptly arraigned in court or released, asserting that his constitutional rights are being violated. In press statements, he described elements of the investigation, including what he labels illegal detention, procedural abuse, and media harassment as evidence that he has been prejudged and can not receive a fair hearing under the present EFCC leadership.
The EFCC has not yet issued a direct official response to Malami’s latest assertions, though the commission has previously denied claims of political motivation and stated that bail conditions — not political factors — are the basis for alleged detention actions.
The public airing of these grievances has already drawn reactions. **Chidi Odinkalu**, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, publicly criticised Malami’s claim that the EFCC is politicised, contending that Malami himself was a highly political figure while in office and urging him to allow the legal process to unfold without such accusations.
The standoff underscores growing tensions between high‑profile political figures and the nation’s foremost anti‑graft agency, as Malami’s legal team prepares to pursue all available judicial remedies.
Meanwhile, calls for transparency and adherence to due process have been echoed by civil society groups and some political observers, emphasising the need to protect constitutional rights irrespective of an individual’s status.
