Recuse Yourself, You Can’t Investigate Me, Malami Tells EFCC Chair

Recuse Yourself, You Can’t Investigate Me, Malami Tells EFCC Chair

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has publicly challenged the legitimacy of the ongoing investigation against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a strongly worded statement issued on December 15, 2025, Malami alleged that the EFCC’s actions, including his detention and threatened prosecution, were politically motivated and rooted in personal vendetta rather than the rule of law.

Malami attributed the probe to his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), claiming that this political move provoked retaliatory measures from the EFCC leadership.

He further argued that the EFCC Chairman harbors longstanding grievances against him, dating back to the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which investigated corruption within the EFCC during Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General.

According to Malami, the Salami Report implicated the current EFCC Chairman and even recommended possible prosecution, making the present investigation appear retaliatory.

The former Attorney-General insisted that the EFCC Chairman should recuse himself from the case to preserve credibility and public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system. He called on the current Attorney-General of the Federation to intervene, stressing that prosecutorial powers must not be abused for partisan or personal ends. 

Malami also demanded immediate judicial oversight, urging that he either be charged and arraigned before a competent court within 24 hours or released, in line with constitutional provisions.

In his statement, Malami criticized the EFCC’s reliance on questionable witnesses, including individuals convicted abroad, describing this tactic as scandalous and corrosive to Nigeria’s justice system. He emphasized that he seeks no political settlement or compromise, but rather a transparent opportunity to clear his name in court.

Ultimately, Malami framed the issue as a broader struggle for the supremacy of law over politics and personal power. He warned against turning anti-corruption agencies into instruments of political intimidation, insisting that justice must remain impartial and above vendetta.