Int'l Anti-Corruption Day: Hon. Ayodele Thomas says Abubakar Malami is an Anti-corruption Crusader


Higher Education Leadership Policy, HELP, organisation has stated that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, Abubakar Malami, SAN, is an Anti-corruption Crusader of the Year
within six years of the Buhari administration.


The organization's Lead Advocate/Chief Executive, HELP, Hon. [Elder] Ayodele Thomas made this known to journalists in a press release Commemorating
the 2021 International Anti-corruption Day.



According to the Lead Advocate/Chief Executive, HELP, Hon. [Elder] Ayodele Thomas, "Abubakar Malami, SAN has, no doubt, won the admiration, respect
and regarded in high esteem by many concerned citizens for his anti-corruption
campaign. Appropriately in attestation to this, the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly
of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Ethiopia, not long ago,
appreciated the commitments and efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR at
addressing corrupt practices in the Nation and subsequently named him AU anti-corruption ambassador. This honour done to Mr. President was achieved because the
appointed public officials and their respective agencies entrusted and saddled with the
challenging responsibility to implement his anti-corruption policy was, indeed,
committed towards addressing the blight of corruption in the Nation.



"The Attorney General of the Federation and Hon. Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami
SAN stands out in this regard. Since his assumption of office, Malami left no stone
unturned to ensure robust momentum of capacities is built around the administration’s
anticorruption policy.


"Today, public perceptions of the Buhari administration’s fight
against corruption have improved dramatically as many Nigerians now agreed that the
administration is performing very well in fighting corruption and this is a strong
indication that the Nation’s orientation towards understanding the challenges of fighting
and addressing corrupt practices is changing for the better".


Elder Thomas, dwelling on the achievements of the Buhari led administration regards curbing Corruption in the country, said, "Nigerians have applauded the Treasury Single Account [TSA], Bank
Verification Number [BVN], National Identity Number [NIN], and ‘Whistle Blowing’
policy of the Buhari administration which has recorded tremendous achievements by
blocking several leakages. Before now, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies open
multiple accounts to siphon government resources. Since the government has imposed the
TSA, visibility funds of government, and transparency of government expenditure and
accountability has been reestablished. This is in addition towards ensuring that all
personnel in the public sector are being captured electronically thereby making it
impossible for ghost workers to be incorporated into the payroll system or structure.






"Since he assumed office, Malami has made several headlines with his hard stance on
pursuing looted or stolen funds and bringing the culprits to justice in addition to building
robust momentum of regulatory, institutional, and legal capacities around the Anti-corruption policy of the Buhari administration. It is on record that no other
administration, in the history of Nigeria, has closely worked with the US, the UK, and
various Middle Eastern countries to seize and repatriate assets from public officials that
are suspected to have been purchased with illicit funds. Nigeria’s leading anti-corruption
agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has also become more
active. It has launched a series of investigations into former high-ranking public officials
from previous administrations, in particular former cabinet officials, state governors, and
senior civil.
It is also on record that under Malami looted funds and assets have been recovered and
several high-level officials have been found culpable in one corruption case or another by anti-graft agencies. Again, one cannot also doubt the fact that under Malami the
administration brought his fight against corruption closer to home when he dealt with his
own officials without favour. The arraignment of Babachir Lawal, former secretary to the
government of the federation, and Ayo Oke, head of Nigeria’s National Intelligence
Agency fingered in the quagmire of controversy around corrupt deals detected by Nigeria’s anti-corruption body, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC]
are examples of such efforts.


"Unfortunately, upon all the above achievements and instead of celebrating the Attorney
General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), he is grossly
misunderstood and it is rather sad to note that gross misrepresentation was given to some
of the major legal accomplishments of his office. Though not intimidated, one can only
submit that Malami has faced the worst criticism anyone in Nation-building could face.


"The misrepresentation as the Malabu case, engagement of counsel in Abacha recovery
suit, P&ID Arbitration, judgment debt/Paris Club refund, and relationship with other law
enforcement and prosecutorial agencies etc could best be described as high points of the
tough criticism that has tested his will to serve his Nation meritoriously as federal
attorney general. Yet, despite the criticisms, the modest achievements of the ministry under Malami like promulgation of executive orders, multilateral treaties for anti
corruption fight such as Anti-Corruption Laws – the Money Laundering Prevention and
Prohibition Bill 2017; Anti-Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Bill 2017; Nigerian Financial Intelligence, etc are well noticeable and should be appreciated.
Though findings have revealed that the reason for recent the attacks on Malami is simply
because he is exposing corrupt elements in this government in line with the
The anti-corruption policy of the Buhari administration. Exposing corrupt elements in
the government may not be an easy task but the attendant campaign of calumny may have
been orchestrated by those involved and who see themselves as victims of the saintly
initiatives of the AGF Malami to protect the administration of President Buhari from
ridicule and shame and to ensure that Mr. President plan to enthrone free, fair, and just
society for all Nigerians is fully realized. At this point, the Media and the civil societies
deserves special commendation for their unrelenting efforts to channel necessary
attention into raising strong advocacy voices to support the aspirations of the present
administration under President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR



"Although President Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign has been quite impressive so far, it
is no cause for complacency, as citizens’ perceptions of corruption among public officials
still remain high. Most Nigerians still believe many public officials are corrupt, with the
police widely seen as the most corrupt Government institution. This Perceived corruption among public officials only reflects deep-seated realities that will require everyone’s
efforts to change; more so now that Mr. President has set the tone from the top. To this effect, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami
[SAN] should consider a “New Information Thrust for the Ministry” so as to bridge the
information gap that may have been responsible for all forms of misconception and
misrepresentations among Nigerians.


"As we commemorate the 2021 International Anti-corruption Day with the theme, “Your
right, your role: Say no to Corruption” and which seeks to highlight the rights and
responsibilities of everyone - including States, Government officials, civil servants, law enforcement officers, media representatives, the private sector, civil society, academia,
the public and youth etc in tackling corruption, it is high time for all Nigerians to join hands with the Attorney General of the Federation and Honourable Minister of
Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN to continue the good work to wrest the Nation from the
claws of those willing to plunge it into penury", he added.



Hon. [Elder] Ayodele Thomas
Lead Advocate/Chief Executive, HELP
Suite 2/3, Arwma Plaza, Gudu District, Abuja
Tel: 09-2915381 08057117055. Email: helpproject2001@gmail.com

A** licking get level

To whom much is given, must tongue is expected during licking.

You have licked well Hon Thomas

sapientia:
A** licking get level

To whom much is given, must tongue is expected during licking.

You have licked well Hon Thomas

Granting interview under the influence of alcohol is not good at all.