Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has raised alarm over what he described as coordinated and retaliatory searches carried out by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on his homes and offices in Abuja and Kebbi State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, and shared on Mr Malami’s Facebook page, the former minister said EFCC operatives stormed his private residences and offices without prior notice while he remains in detention over corruption investigations.
The EFCC has confirmed the operation but rejected claims that it was a raid, describing it instead as a lawful search conducted in furtherance of an ongoing investigation into corruption allegations against the former minister.
Mr Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, alleged that the searches were triggered by an earlier statement he released on Wednesday referencing the report of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
He claimed that Chapter 9 of the report indicted the current EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for his role as secretary of the commission between 2018 and 2020.
The statement said the EFCC searches were “expressly directed at locating documents allegedly connected to Chapter 9 of the Salami Report,” describing the action as intimidation and retaliation following his renewed call for Mr Olukoyede to recuse himself from investigations involving him.
“These actions are deeply alarming and raise grave concerns about intimidation, retaliation and the safety of our staff and of Abubakar Malami, SAN,” the statement said, warning that the authorities would be held responsible should any harm come to him or his aides.
Mr Malami questioned the timing and legality of the searches, noting that they occurred shortly after his public reference to the Salami report.
He urged Nigerians, the media, civil society organisations and human rights groups to demand the release of the full report of the Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry, particularly Chapter 9, in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Despite his allegations, the former attorney general said he remained willing to submit himself to a lawful and impartial judicial process, stressing that “intimidation, raids and media trials cannot substitute for due process.”
The EFCC, however, maintained that its actions were lawful. The commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the operation formed part of routine investigative procedures.
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“When a suspect is under investigation, searches are carried out in line with the law. It was not a raid; it was a search,” he said.
The development has deepened an ongoing dispute between Mr Malami and the EFCC leadership.
Earlier in the week, the former minister accused Mr Olukoyede of orchestrating his arrest and detention out of “historical animosity and personal vendetta,” allegations the EFCC chairman has repeatedly denied.
Mr Olukoyede has insisted that he was previously cleared of wrongdoing after his suspension during the Salami panel probe in 2020, stating that a later review found no case against him.
The EFCC has also dismissed claims that Mr Malami’s administrative bail was revoked due to political activities in Kebbi State, stating that he failed to meet bail conditions and did not return on the agreed date.
The commission added that his request for deferment on health grounds was unsupported by medical evidence.
Mr Malami served as attorney general from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
A founding member of the All Progressives Congress, he recently defected to the African Democratic Congress and has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kebbi State.
The EFCC is investigating him over allegations including the alleged fraudulent duplication of expenses linked to the recovery of assets belonging to the late former military ruler, Sani Abacha, as well as suspected multi-billion-naira investments and bank accounts tied to him.
His continued detention has drawn political reactions, with his legal team challenging the action as unlawful and a violation of his fundamental rights, while opposition figures accuse the anti-graft agency of politicising its operations.
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