The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have raided the offices and private residences of Abubakar Malami (SAN), former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, across Abuja and Kebbi state.
Confirmation of the operation came on Wednesday through Mohammed Doka, Malami’s media aide, who issued a statement on the development.
Doka said the EFCC action followed public references recently made by Malami’s office to Chapter 9 of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report.
He alleged that the operation was targeted at recovering copies of the chapter, which has become the centre of an ongoing dispute.
Doka accused Ola Olukoyede, EFCC chairman, of acting with bias and called for his recusal from any process involving Malami.
He described the scale and timing of the searches as unsettling, saying they raised serious questions about intent, legality and propriety.
The Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry was inaugurated by the federal government in 2021 to examine allegations of corruption, abuse of office and the handling of recovered assets within the EFCC, particularly during the leadership of Ibrahim Magu, former EFCC chairman.
Although the panel submitted its report to the presidency in November 2021, the document has not been officially released, with only limited portions cited publicly.
Chapter 9 has since drawn attention due to claims that it contains findings relating to the conduct of senior government officials, including Malami, during his tenure as supervising minister of the EFCC.
In recent days, Malami’s office cited the chapter to question the neutrality of the current EFCC leadership and formally requested Olukoyede’s withdrawal from matters concerning him.
Reacting to the searches, Malami’s camp described the development as “deeply alarming,” alleging that it amounted to intimidation and retaliation.
The statement warned that the safety of Malami and his staff had been compromised and placed Nigerians and the international community on notice over any potential harm arising from what it described as a troubling pattern of conduct.
Malami’s office also challenged the EFCC to explain the legal justification for searches allegedly focused on a specific section of a judicial commission report, questioning the absence of due process.
Amid the controversy, the former attorney-general appealed to civil society organisations, professional bodies and human rights groups to demand the publication of the full Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report, particularly Chapter 9.
According to the statement, releasing the report would promote transparency, reinforce accountability and help restore public confidence in the anti-corruption process.
Reaffirming his stance, Malami said he remains prepared to submit himself to a neutral and lawful process before a court of competent jurisdiction, insisting that raids and media trials cannot substitute for due process and the rule of law.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued an official response to the allegations surrounding the operation.