₦airaland Forum

Chapter 9 of the Salami Report and the EFCC Chairman’s Personal Vendetta Against Abubakar Malami, SAN: Why Recusal Is Mandatory Under the Law

Press Release

Office of the Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
Abubakar Malami, SAN

The Office of Abubakar Malami, SAN, issues this follow-up statement to explain, with clarity and restraint, why the continued involvement of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in matters relating to Abubakar Malami, SAN, is legally untenable, morally indefensible, and constitutionally impermissible.

This statement is focused squarely on Chapter 9 of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report and how the unresolved implications of that chapter have now crystallised into what can only be described as a personal vendetta masquerading as law enforcement.

Chapter 9 of the Salami Report: The Root of the Conflict

While serving as Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, supervised the establishment of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate allegations of corruption and abuse of office within the EFCC.

At the material time, the current EFCC Chairman served as Secretary to the Commission.

Chapter 9 of the Salami Report addressed the conduct and responsibilities of senior EFCC officials, particularly those occupying key administrative and decision-making positions within the Commission. The chapter speaks directly to institutional accountability and created personal and professional exposure for certain individuals who are today exercising prosecutorial power over the very Attorney-General to whom the report was submitted.

Viewed against this background, the present actions of the EFCC cannot reasonably be interpreted as neutral law enforcement. They amount to retaliatory persecution driven by historical animosity and personal vendetta.

Why the EFCC Chairman Must Recuse Himself

The law on recusal is settled.

No person is permitted to sit in judgment over a matter in which they have a personal interest or prior exposure. The applicable test is the reasonable apprehension of bias, not proof of actual malice. Where such apprehension exists, recusal is mandatory, not optional.

Any reasonable observer, properly apprised of the facts surrounding Chapter 9 of the Salami Report, would conclude that Abubakar Malami, SAN, cannot receive an impartial investigation or prosecution under the present leadership of the EFCC.

Human Rights Abuses and Trial by Media

The continued handling of this matter has resulted in grave violations, including:
• The violation of the right to personal liberty guaranteed under Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;
• The violation of the right to fair hearing under Section 36 of the Constitution;
• A sustained trial by media through selective leaks and public commentary designed to secure public condemnation before judicial determination.

This approach undermines not only the constitutional rights of Abubakar Malami, SAN, but also the credibility and integrity of Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions.

From Institutional Scrutiny to Personal Vendetta

The present actions of the EFCC under its current leadership exhibit a troubling and consistent pattern:
• Persistent media trials and selective disclosures without due process;
• Restrictions on liberty and harassment without timely arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction;
• A deliberate attempt to criminalise lawful policy decisions taken in office, rather than identify any clear criminal offence known to law.

Such conduct confirms a shift from institutional accountability to the settlement of personal scores and grievances under the guise of law enforcement.

Our Position Remains Clear

Abubakar Malami, SAN:
• Is ready and willing to submit himself to a neutral and independent investigative process;
• Insists on being tried only before a court of competent jurisdiction;
• Rejects political settlements, intimidation, or compromise.

Our Demands

Accordingly, we reiterate our demand for:
1. The immediate recusal of the EFCC Chairman from all matters relating to Abubakar Malami, SAN;
2. The intervention of the Attorney-General of the Federation to ensure that this matter is transferred to a neutral and independent investigative authority;
3. The prompt institution of charges, if any, before a competent court of law, where evidence — not vendetta — will prevail.

Conclusion

This is not a personal dispute; it is a constitutional issue.

If the EFCC is allowed to function as an instrument for the settlement of personal scores and grievances, then the rule of law itself is imperilled. Abubakar Malami, SAN, will continue to insist on justice according to law and due process, not persecution by power.

Signed:

Mohammed Bello Doka
Special Assistant on Media to
Abubakar Malami, SAN

Corrupt people trying to fight corruption.

You guys better tell China to colonize Nigeria if you really want to fight corruption in Nigeria.

We know it's all vendetta. Malami has already being tried and certified guilty on the pages of newspapers but they are still yet to charge him to court. Meanwhile, Ifeanyi Okowa has been appointed as the renewed hope ambassador for the Southsouth region. The jokes write themselves.

Malami, for your own interests, don't go this lane

You will be locked up and your cell key would be thrown into the lagoon

What FG need to do is to summon the northern leaders and politicians and present them with all your offenses. Trust me, everybody will back out from whatever how FG will handle you after

Meanwhile, the supporters of the saint sent from Pluto to come and rescue Nigeria have been supporting Malami who is been accused of corruption and terrorism.

The people who claimed they are bringing something different. We have seen some of them above, more of them will soon arrive below.

Just because of their hatred for president Tinubu and his government, they wouldn't mind to partner with devil just to have their way

Baba Ayo Salami is from Kwara, I know him somehow from a distance. EFCC will do nothing. Malami should enjoy his beans for now, until ADC come.

Malami no wan join Tinubu APC. Buhari APC is gone.

Ghen ghen!

This is getting very interesting.

I doubt there is any clean government official in Nigeria

Just imagine....but guess what,they especially those kone headed structured elements don't care....

They are only interested if they see names like the Emefiele,kanu....

Na why fight against corruption no fit work for Nigeria be that

Those appointed to fight corruption are equally corrupt with skeletons in their cupboard and those they want to fight know this.

Crab mentality.
Let's see if this will hold water.

Malami is just trying to silence the EFCC.

Why not focus on defending himself.

I am not saying the EFCC chair is a saint.

Sometimes I am confused as it concerns the particular responsibilities of EFCC

After Tinubu’s tenure, one thing is certain. This EFCC chairman will be arrested.

I’m yet to see one EFCC chairman that was not humiliated out of office.

Corruption cannot investigate corruption!

This malami is a dunce. I thought he has evidence against the efcc chairman

These are the people we should trust with 25% of our tax? hahahaahah, if to sey the masses get sense eh, this tax wont even stand until proper way of handling corruption is dealt with. This new 25 percent will still be stollen and nothing wil happen. Like these politicians do have agreement not to try one another. Look at Buhari telling Tinubu to leave his ministers. Can u imagine? Like presidents arent tried too. Like, just go and steal as u like. Omo, If i cant find legal way to avoid tax, I go run go ghana. I will gladly pay 30 percent of my money to Ghana than to spend even 3 percent of my sweat to these old men who loot with no mercy.
There is no measure to fix leakage, no measure to fix corruption, so, we go dey work for these men to loot?
My anger is I source my income abroad, so i go dey fund the life style of these wicked men with their side chicks? God forbid. The only reason they are fighting now is maybe this man didnt agree to their terms. If u no join them, they come aftyer u. Look at ex Delta state governor is now campaign DG for Tinubu. hahahaha, these men no rate us o.

Slavery mentality in this modern age been displayed. Sad commentary on Nigerians

jmoore:
Corrupt people trying to fight corruption.

You guys better tell China to colonize Nigeria if you really want to fight corruption in Nigeria.

Black no human being, we're just fortunate that we talk like human beings

This is funny sha... Malami is really struggling... Lols. Well the efcc chair should respond to this. The fact that he was a part of the system then may even make him the perfect guy to desipher the corruption and pinpoint the corrupt individuals in entire scheme. Malami should calm down and face whatever is placed before him now.

So is this why Malami also committed crimes?

Una sure say this guy na real lawyer? Does he think the EFCC chairman is a judge who needs to recuse himself from the case?

Dangote Vs Farouk

Malami Vs Olukayode

Is there any criminal that won't say they're being witch hunted in this country?


So this man now want to say he's some kind of saint or what? In this Nigeria? Both the people prosecuting you and YOU in particular are not saint. But someone has to be bringing you guys down one by one.

Corruption fighting back 🤣🤣😂😂


This is Nigeria

helinues:
Malami, for your own interests, don't go this lane

You will be locked up and your cell key would be thrown into the lagoon

What FG need to do is to summon the northern leaders and politicians and present them with all your offenses. Trust me, everybody will back out from whatever how FG will handle you after

Na you wan lock up am lol
Two powerful people dey fight you dey put mouth….they will settle behind closed doors forget all this online shenanigans.

henrybomb:
Na you wan lock up am lol
Two powerful people dey fight you dey put mouth….they will settle behind closed doors forget all this online shenanigans.

Malami is no longer powerful. He was stripped from power immediately after Buhari completed his 8 years.

Malami can be regarded as an empty shell making noise. He's no longer relevant in his ward

Mongrel on mongrel, until one survives

AMINDA:
We know it's all vendetta. Malami has already being tried and certified guilty on the pages of newspapers but they are still yet to charge him to court. Meanwhile, Ifeanyi Okowa has been appointed as the renewed hope ambassador for the Southsouth region. The jokes write themselves.

There is always a joker behind any joke.

Apc is a joke taken too far.

AMINDA:
We know it's all vendetta. Malami has already being tried and certified guilty on the pages of newspapers but they are still yet to charge him to court. Meanwhile, Ifeanyi Okowa has been appointed as the renewed hope ambassador for the Southsouth region. The jokes write themselves.

Seriously?

The same Okowa ,hitherto facing corruption charges?

It is finished!

They have started exposing each other, it's well