Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have conducted searches on offices and private residences linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), in Abuja and Kebbi State.
The development was confirmed on Wednesday in a statement issued by Malami’s media aide, Mohammed Doka, who said the action followed recent public references by Malami’s office to Chapter 9 of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report.
According to the statement, the EFCC’s operation was allegedly aimed at seizing copies of Chapter 9 of the report. Doka accused the EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, of bias and formally called for his recusal from any matter involving the former Attorney-General.
He described the timing and scale of the raids as “deeply troubling,” raising concerns about the motive, legality and intent behind the action.
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. The panel submitted its report to the Presidency in November 2021, but the document has largely remained unpublished, with only limited sections publicly referenced.
Chapter 9 of the report has attracted renewed attention in recent days amid claims that it contains findings and recommendations relating to the conduct of senior government officials, including Malami, during his time as supervising minister of the EFCC.
Malami’s camp said the former minister had relied on the contents of the chapter to question the impartiality of the current EFCC leadership and to demand that the commission’s chairman step aside from investigations or proceedings involving him.
Reacting to the searches, Malami’s office described the development as an act of intimidation and retaliation following the public demand for recusal. The statement further alleged that the safety of Malami and his staff had been compromised, placing both Nigerians and the international community on notice over any potential harm arising from what it termed a disturbing pattern of conduct.
The former Attorney-General also challenged the EFCC to disclose the legal basis for the searches, particularly if they were centred on a specific chapter of a judicial commission report, and questioned why due process was allegedly not followed.
Amid the controversy, Malami called on civil society organisations, professional bodies and human rights groups to urge 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, especially Chapter 9.
He argued that making the report public would enhance transparency, strengthen accountability and restore public confidence in the nation’s anti-corruption efforts.
Reaffirming his position, Malami said he remained willing to submit himself to a neutral and lawful process before a court of competent jurisdiction, stressing that searches 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.
