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The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has urged former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to submit himself to investigation and address allegations of corruption and abuse of office, rather than raising claims of bias and persecution.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, HEDA reacted to Malami’s call for the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to step aside from an investigation involving him.
The organisation described Malami’s claims of bias and vendetta as an attempt to divert attention from the allegations against him.
HEDA also criticised Malami for failing, during his tenure, to release or gazette the report of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry, despite repeated public demands after the panel concluded its sittings.
According to the group, the continued non-release of the report raises concerns about the credibility of both the panel and the government that constituted it.
HEDA noted that several individuals who were invited by, or allegedly indicted by, the Salami panel have since advanced in their careers.
The group cited the cases of former Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, who returned to the Nigeria Police Force, rose to the rank of Assistant Inspector General and retired, as well as Rotimi Oyedepo, who later became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and is currently serving as a presidential adviser.
HEDA said these developments have reinforced public perception that the panel targeted specific individuals rather than pursuing institutional reform.
The organisation identified Magu, Oyedepo and the current EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, who served as Secretary to the commission, as individuals allegedly targeted during Malami’s tenure.
It further alleged that the panel was used to target Magu for resisting interference in EFCC cases, Oyedepo for challenging the use of nolle prosequi in a case handled by the EFCC, and Olukoyede for opposing Malami over the disposal of recovered assets.
HEDA recalled that the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, had nullified Malami’s asset management guidelines, declaring them illegal.
The group added that the failure to release the Salami panel report undermines Malami’s reliance on the process to support his claims of persecution.
HEDA urged Malami to allow lawful investigations to proceed and refrain from actions it said could undermine anti-corruption institutions.
‘Face corruption allegations, not EFCC bias claims’ – Group tells Malami
