EFCC Raids Malami’s Abuja, Kebbi Properties Over Ayo Salami Report

EFCC Raids Malami’s Abuja, Kebbi Properties Over Ayo Salami Report

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raided the Abuja offices and private residences in Kebbi State belonging to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The development was confirmed on Wednesday by Mohammed Doka, Malami’s communications aide, who said the action followed Malami’s public reference to Chapter 9 of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report.

According to Doka, the raids were allegedly aimed at seizing Chapter 9 of the report, a section believed to contain sensitive findings and recommendations concerning senior government officials, including Malami, during his tenure as supervising minister of the EFCC.

Doka accused the EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, of bias, formally calling for his recusal from any matter involving Malami. He described the timing and scope of the raids as disturbing, raising questions about their motivation, legality and objective.

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“The raids are deeply concerning and appear to be acts of intimidation and retribution following the public call for recusal,” the statement said, adding that the safety of Malami and his team had been compromised.

The Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry, set up by the Federal Government in 2021, investigated allegations of corruption, abuse of office and misuse of recovered assets within the EFCC, particularly during the tenure of former EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu. Although the panel submitted its report to the Presidency in November 2021, the document remains largely unpublished, with only limited excerpts in the public domain.

Malami’s camp has urged civil society organisations, professional bodies and human rights groups to pressure the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to release the full Ayo Salami report, especially Chapter 9, in the interest of transparency and accountability.

Reiterating his position, Malami expressed willingness to submit himself to a fair and lawful judicial process, stressing that raids and media trials cannot replace due process and the rule of law.

As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had yet to issue an official response to the allegations surrounding the raids.

EFCC Raids Malami’s Abuja, Kebbi Properties Over Ayo Salami Report