Nigeria’s anti-corruption group, Human and Environmental Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the tenure of the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over several allegations of corruption and abuse of office against him. 

In a four-page petition document signed by HEDA’s chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, and issued as a statement on Sunday, HEDA decried the lack of any investigation or report by anti-corruption agencies of some allegations as conveyed by media reports and documentary evidence in total disregard for the rule of law while Mr Malami was Minister of Justice.

HEDA, in its petition, which was copied to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, also cited several corruption allegations against Mr Malami.

The group mentioned ten alleged corrupt practices connected to his name, including distributing 30 cars worth over N1 billion as gifts to his supporters in Kebbi State.

The group said the cars, widely reported by PremiumTimes in May 2022, included 14 Mercedes Benz, 8 Prado SUVs, 4 Toyota Hilux and 4 Lexus LX and the beneficiaries were social media influencers, executive members of Mr Malami’s foundation and women support groups.

“Illegal auctioning of sea vessels holding crude oil seized by the Federal Government, violating Section 31(2) and (4) of the EFCC Act 2004 and assuming the role conferred on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission as reported by The Cable Newspaper on the 13th July 2020.

“Alleged duplicity of payment of $16.9 million fees to two friends as new lawyers for the recovery of the loot traced to a former Nigerian Head of State, Sanni Abacha, after a Swiss lawyer, Enrico Monfrini, hired and fully paid by the previous government, to help in the recovery had completed his brief as reported by PremiumTimes on the 10th of April, 2018. it was alleged that Mr Malami undertook the action with the intention of kickback from the deal.

“Allegedly seeking the withdrawal of cases against Bello Adoke, Diezani Alison-Madueke, Abubakar Aliyu and others involved in the Malabu scandal through his letters to former President Buhari on the ground of lack of significant evidence to prove allegations of sharp practices against prominent players in OPL 245 oil deal. As reported by PremiumTimes on the 18th of February, 2018.

The group is also asking the anti-corruption agency to investigate the returns of looted funds of $78 million to Nigeria and how his office instituted cases on behalf of Nigeria in Italy and the United Kingdom against the same suspects.

HEDA said that Mr Malami confessed to a conflict of interest in his recent book, “Traversing the Thorny Terrain of Nigeria’s Justice Sector; My Travails and Triumphs” (page 30) that “Muhammad Adoke, former Attorney-General, gifted some books, an office desk and chairs while setting up my new office.

“Though a friend to my principal, Mr Adoke and I had developed a direct relationship and because of how frequently I was in court, Mr Adoke gave me files to handle….”. This personal and conflicted relationship with Mr Adoke was never disclosed while pretending to discharge his official functions over the matter.”

“Reinstatement of Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT) into the Federal Civil Service under a controversial circumstances defying due process, and indicating compromise of Malami by Maina after his dismissal in 2013 for corruption and declared wanted by EFCC as reported by Daily Trust Newspaper of April 3rd, 2018.

“This was after Malami admitted before Senate ad hoc Committee that he met with Maina in Dubai, at a time when Maina was wanted by the EFCC for over N2billion corruption.

“Mr Malami also displayed his unpretentious hatred for the fight against corruption by writing a letter dated 16th December 2016 to withdraw the case of fraud filed against Mr. Godsday Orubebe, the former Minister of Niger Delta, filed by the ICPC in a case involving over N1.97 billion, on the ground that, in his opinion, there was no basis for filing the charges. “

Meanwhile, HEDA said it strongly believes that those allegations are too serious to be ignored or allowed to go without investigation and therefore demanded thorough, immediate, and urgent investigation of Mr Malami for the sanity of the public office and image of the country.

The anti-corruption group also says it believes in the prevalence and sanctity of the rule of law, and due process. It, therefore, asked the ICPC for diligent investigation and timeous action to restore the sanctity of the commission’s core mandate, which it said is on the verge of collapse due to the alleged abuse of power and office by public officeholders.

“We shall monitor developments on this petition and look forward to your timely response on actions embarked upon by your commission within reasonable time, considering the alleged former officer had exposed the country to unprecedented opprobrium with these and other condemnable mismanagement of his office and affairs of the country.”

Peoples Gazette