The Immediate past Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, said there was no truth in the public speculations that he had gone underground to escape allegations of corruption being levelled against him while he served in that position.
His response was against the backdrop of information doing the rounds in the public space that the ex-minister might have jetted out of the country following an invitation extended to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s suspending the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, from office last Wednesday, conjectures had emerged that warming up to evade possible arrest and investigation, the ex-minister might have gone into hiding
However, puncturing the speculations in an exclusive interview with Daily Trust on Thursday night, Malami said; “I have not been invited by the EFCC or any other anti-corruption agency in Nigeria. I’m available in Nigeria and attending a wedding Fatiha slated for 2.30 pm at Sheikh Isiyaka Rabi’u Mosque, Kano, tomorrow (Friday).
He said: “I have no plan of leaving Nigeria, and I will gladly honour any invitation extended to me by any agency of government.
“I’m a true Nigerian, and I believe in the Nigerian project. I will make myself available to Nigeria and its institutions on demand.”
But sources at the anti-graft agency hinted that Bawa’s suspension has thrown up issues around Malami’s stewardship, especially regarding the alleged loss of over $2.4 billion in revenue from the illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil export in 2015, including all crude oil exports and sales by Nigeria from 2014 to date.
One of the insiders at EFCC said the ex-minister strongly recommended Bawa to the then President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021 for the post based on “his competence”, and the thinking is that given that closely-knitted association, Malami might have some questions to answer concerning the activities of the now suspended anti-graft czar during his time in office.
Also as Nigeria’s Chief Law Officer during the eight-year tenure of President Buhari, and having the EFCC under his watch at some point, Malami should be in a position to address other issues when he finally honours the invitation.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
