Quick Summary:
Former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami demands EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede’s withdrawal from his investigation, citing bias and political vendetta, while the EFCC insists its actions are lawful and apolitical.
Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami has formally requested that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede recuse himself from the ongoing investigation into his activities, alleging bias, personal vendetta, and political persecution.
In a statement issued on Monday, December 15, 2025, through his media aide Muhammad Doka, Malami outlined several reasons for his demand that the case be transferred to another law enforcement agency.
Personal Hostility
Malami alleged that the EFCC’s investigation is driven by “deep-seated personal hostility” arising from past disagreements between him and Olukoyede.
Salami Report Connection
He claimed that the alleged bias stems from the period when Olukoyede served as secretary to the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which investigated the EFCC. According to Malami, the Salami Report contained adverse findings against Olukoyede, creating a conflict of interest in the current probe.
Political Persecution
Malami, who recently defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleged that the EFCC’s actions amount to “retaliatory persecution” linked to his political realignment. He argued that the investigation is being used as a tool of intimidation against opposition figures.
Procedural Abuses
The former AGF accused the EFCC of violating due process, citing instances of media trials, unlawful detention, and attempts to use convicted individuals serving sentences abroad as witnesses. He described these actions as “scandalous to the justice system” and contrary to the rule of law.
EFCC’s Response
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strongly denied Malami’s allegations of bias or political motivation.
In a statement released by the commission’s spokesperson, the EFCC reaffirmed that it is an independent and apolitical institution, guided strictly by the provisions of the law.
The agency clarified that Malami’s detention was due to his failure to meet the conditions of an administrative bail granted after his initial interrogation, not as a result of political persecution.
The EFCC urged Malami to comply with his bail terms and cooperate fully with investigators, rather than attempting to influence public opinion through media statements.
Broader Implications
The MalamiEFCCConflict2025 has reignited debate over institutional independence, political accountability, and the limits of executive influence in Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework.
Analysts note that the confrontation between a former Attorney-General and the anti-graft agency he once supervised underscores the complex interplay of politics and justice in Nigeria’s governance system.
The outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching implications for the credibility of anti-corruption enforcement and the public’s trust in legal institutions.
