Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have carried out raids on the offices and private residences of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), located in Abuja and Kebbi State.
The development was confirmed on Wednesday in a statement issued by Malami’s media aide, Mohammed Doka. According to him, the operation followed shortly after Malami’s office made public references to Chapter 9 of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report.
Doka alleged that the EFCC raids were aimed at confiscating Chapter 9 of the report. He further accused the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, of bias and called for his withdrawal from any matter involving Malami.
Describing the timing and scale of the raids as disturbing, Doka said the action raised serious concerns about the motive, legality and intent of the commission.
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 chairman, Ibrahim Magu. The panel submitted its report to the Presidency in November 2021, but the document has largely remained unpublished.
Chapter 9 of the report has generated controversy, as it is believed to contain findings and recommendations involving senior government officials, including Malami, during his period as supervising minister of the EFCC.
In recent days, Malami’s office cited the chapter while questioning the neutrality of the current EFCC leadership and formally requested that the chairman recuse himself from any investigation concerning the former attorney-general.
Reacting to the raids, Malami’s camp described them as “deeply alarming,” alleging they were acts of intimidation and retaliation linked to his call for recusal. The statement warned that the security of Malami and his staff had been jeopardized and placed both Nigerians and the international community on alert over any potential harm.
Malami also challenged the EFCC to explain the legal basis for the searches, particularly if they were focused on a specific section of a judicial commission report, and questioned why due process was allegedly not followed.
He further called on civil society groups, professional bodies and human rights organisations to press the Federal Government and the Office of the Attorney-General to release the full Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report, especially Chapter 9, in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Reiterating his stance, Malami said he is prepared to subject himself to an impartial and lawful judicial process, stressing that raids and media scrutiny cannot replace due process and the rule of law.
As at the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued an official response to the allegations surrounding the raids.
