The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted claims that it targets opposition figures, insisting that all investigations are conducted independently of political considerations.
The EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said the agency’s prosecution of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, is based purely on evidence and not political affiliation.
Malami, together with his wife and son, was recently arraigned on a 16-count money laundering charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In an exclusive interview, Olukoyede clarified that the case against Malami preceded his tenure as EFCC chairman and that he only inherited the investigation file.
“Yes, I edited the investigation file. What I did was to ensure that the investigation was carried out in a very professional and thorough manner,” he said.
Olukoyede said Malami had been under scrutiny for nearly two and a half years.
“The file was opened not even under me. I inherited it, and for the past over two years, I have been painstakingly carrying out the investigation, trying to establish some of these offences,” he said.
He stressed that the case was only brought to court after EFCC investigators were convinced it was “watertight.”
On January 7, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the Malami family bail of ₦500 million each, with two sureties.
The sureties are required to own landed property in Abuja districts, including Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa, and the defendants were directed to deposit their travel documents with the court.
Before the arraignment, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State accused the EFCC of selective enforcement of the law and alleged political victimisation, claiming the case undermines public confidence in anti-corruption efforts.
Responding to such criticisms, Olukoyede emphasised that the EFCC’s mandate requires both enforcement of the law and transparency.
“When a law enforcement agency is biased and selective, it presents a serious challenge to the country it is meant to serve. But allegations of bias in this case are unfounded,” he said.
Malami, who served as Attorney-General under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been at the centre of several controversies, including disputes over recovered assets and legal fees during his tenure.
The EFCC investigation, is the culmination of petitions and complaints from civil society groups and private individuals regarding alleged financial misconduct of the former the minster.
