A former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has alleged that his offices and residences have been raided by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Speaking through his office, Malami claimed the alleged raid
was because of his recent reference to the Salami report.
A statement issued on Wednesday by Malami’s office said
operatives of the EFCC conducted coordinated raids on the ex-AGF’s offices and
private residences in Abuja and Kebbi state.
The statement signed by Mohammed Bello Doka, Special
Assistant on Media to Malami, said the raids occurred immediately after the
ex-minister made a public statement referencing Chapter 9 of the Justice Ayo
Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report.
According to the statement, the EFCC operatives allegedly
targeted documents related to that chapter, without prior notice.
The statement described the action of the EFCC’ as “deeply
alarming”, noting that the they amount to intimidation and retaliation,
following Malami’s call for the EFCC chairman’s recusal from his ongoing probe
due to alleged bias stemming from the Salami Report.
Chapter 9 of the Salami report reportedly contains findings
implicating senior EFCC officials, including the current Chairman, Ola
Olukoyede, who served as secretary to the panel.
“We hereby place Nigerians and the international community
on notice that any harm to our personnel or to Abubakar Malami, SAN, will be
solely attributable to this pattern of conduct,” the statement warned.
Malami’s office urged the media and the public to question
the timing and justification of the raids, as well as the long-standing
contention over Chapter 9. It called on the civil society, professional bodies
and human rights groups to demand the full release of the Salami report for
transparency.
This development follows ongoing EFCC investigation into
allegations against Malami, including abuse of office, money laundering, and
issues related to Abacha loot recoveries.
Malami has previously alleged political motivation and
conflict of interest in the probe.
Malami had released excerpts of the Salami Report, which
according to him, indicted EFCC boss, Ola Olukoyede.
Malami said Chapter 9 of the report shows a clear conflict
of interest that makes the EFCC chairman’s continued involvement in matters
relating to him untenable.
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