...Malami also challenged the EFCC to clarify the legal basis for searches allegedly focused on a specific chapter of a judicial commission report,
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The offices and private residences of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister, in Abuja and Kebbi State on Wednesday was raided by the Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The action was confirmed in a statement by Malami’s media aide, Mohammed Doka, who said the raid occurred shortly after Malami’s office made public reference to Chapter 9 of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report.
According to Doka, the EFCC operation was aimed at retrieving Chapter 9 of the report. He accused the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, of bias and called for his recusal from all matters relating to Malami.
Doka described the timing and scale of the raids as disturbing, raising concerns about the motive, legality and intent behind the operation.
The Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry was set up by the Federal Government in 2021 to probe allegations of corruption, abuse of office and mismanagement of recovered assets within the EFCC, particularly during the tenure of former EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.
Although the panel submitted its report to the Presidency in November 2021, it has largely remained unpublished, with only limited portions referenced in official and media reports.
Chapter 9 of the report has since generated controversy, as it reportedly contains findings and recommendations concerning the roles of senior government officials, including Malami, during his tenure as supervising minister of the EFCC.
In recent days, Malami’s office cited the chapter to question the impartiality of the current EFCC leadership and formally demanded that the chairman step aside from any investigation or proceeding involving the former Attorney-General.
Reacting to the raids, Malami’s camp described the development as “deeply alarming,” alleging that it amounted to intimidation and retaliation following the call for recusal.
The statement further claimed that the safety of Malami and his staff had been compromised, placing both Nigerians and the international community on notice regarding any potential harm arising from what it described as a troubling pattern of conduct.
Malami also challenged the EFCC to clarify the legal basis for searches allegedly focused on a specific chapter of a judicial commission report, questioning why due process was not followed if the exercise was lawful and unbiased.
Amid the controversy, the former AGF urged civil society organisations, professional bodies and human rights groups to press the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to release the full Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report, particularly Chapter 9.
He argued that making the report public would enhance transparency, promote accountability and rebuild public trust in ongoing anti-corruption efforts.
Reiterating his stance, Malami said he remained ready to submit himself to a neutral and lawful process before a court of competent jurisdiction, insisting that raids and media trials could not replace due process and the rule of law.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued an official response to the allegations surrounding the raids.
