Recuse yourself, you can’t investigate me - Former Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami tells EFCC chairman

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman to recuse himself from an ongoing investigation and threatened prosecution against him, describing the probe as a politically motivated witch-hunt. In a statement released today Monday, December 15, Malami claimed that the investigation and his detention are driven by personal animosity linked to his recent defection from the All Progressives Congress APC to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).  Malami argued that the EFCC chairman harbors a historical grudge stemming from the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which investigated corruption allegations within the EFCC during Malamis tenure as Attorney-General.  The present investigationmarked by illegal detentions, media harassment, and procedural abusesbears all the hallmarks of retaliatory persecution motivated by personal vengeance, Malami said    He emphasized that the EFCC, under its current leadership, cannot conduct a fair or objective investigation into his activities.The Former Minister formally demanded that the EFCC Chairman step aside and that the matter be transferred to another government agency to ensure impartiality, credibility, and public confidence. He also called on the current Attorney-General of the Federation to intervene, warning that continued involvement by the EFCC Chairman risks further institutional damage and abuse of prosecutorial powers. Insisting on judicial oversight, Malami urged immediate arraignment before a competent court, in compliance with Sections 35(3), (4), and (5) of the Nigerian Constitution, stating that only a courtnot a politically compromised agencycan lawfully adjudicate the matter. He further accused the EFCC of planning to rely on questionable witnesses, including individuals convicted abroad, to bolster its case against him, calling the approach desperate, scandalous, and corrosive to the integrity of Nigerias criminal justice system. The press release confirmed that Malamis office has formally requested certified copies of the petitions and investigation reports forming the basis of the EFCCs actions, citing petitions by Human and Environmental Agenda and Grassroot Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance. He concluded by stressing that his objective is to clear his name transparently through lawful judicial processes, warning against the politicization of anti-corruption agencies. The law must remain supremeabove politics, above power, and above persons, he said.The post Recuse yourself, you cant investigate me - Former Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami tells EFCC chairman appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.