Malami Told to Face Corruption Probe Amid EFCC Allegations.

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The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has called on former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to submit to investigations and address allegations of corruption and misconduct, instead of alleging bias and persecution.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, HEDA responded to Malami’s demand that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman step aside from an ongoing investigation involving him. The organisation described claims of bias and vendetta as an attempt to shift focus away from the allegations against him.

HEDA also criticised Malami for failing to release or gazette the report of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry during his tenure, despite repeated public demands after the panel concluded its work. The group said the non-release of the report raises questions about the credibility of both the panel and the government that appointed it.

The organisation noted that several individuals allegedly indicted or invited by the Salami panel have since advanced professionally. It cited former Acting EFCC Chairman 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 became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and currently serves as a presidential adviser.

HEDA argued that such developments have reinforced public perception that the panel targeted specific individuals rather than pursuing institutional reforms. The group identified Magu, Oyedepo, and current EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, who served as Secretary to the commission, as individuals allegedly targeted during Malami’s tenure.

The organisation alleged the panel was used to target Magu for resisting interference in EFCC cases, Oyedepo for challenging the use of nolle prosequi in an EFCC matter, and Olukoyede for opposing Malami over recovered asset disposal. HEDA further recalled that the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, nullified Malami’s asset management guidelines, declaring them illegal.

HEDA stressed that the failure to release the Salami panel report undermines Malami’s claims of persecution and urged him to allow lawful investigations to proceed without undermining anti-corruption institutions.