Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has denied claims that anyone connected to him attempted to bribe or improperly influence the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, in his ongoing trial.
Malami described the allegation as “mischievous, false and deliberately misleading.”
Naijaonpoint reports that the denial followed a ruling on Wednesday by the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, which granted bail to Malami, his wife and son.
In the aftermath of the ruling, Malami said reports circulated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) suggested that Justice Nwite had raised concerns over attempts to compromise the court, claims he said were wrongly framed to tarnish his reputation.
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, the former minister dismissed the allegation, insisting that neither he nor anyone acting on his behalf attempted to influence the judge.
“We are compelled to respond and categorically state that no one from Abubakar Malami’s legal team, family, council, or office ever approached, attempted to approach, or contemplated approaching the Honourable Court or the presiding judge for any favour whatsoever.
“Any insinuation to the contrary is false, reckless, and deliberately misleading,” the statement read.
Malami stressed that as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former chief law officer of the federation, he fully understands and respects the sanctity of the judiciary, adding that Justice Nwite’s reputation for integrity is well known.
According to him, the comments attributed to the judge during proceedings were not directed at him or any of the defendants but were routine judicial warnings issued to all counsel and litigants.
“For clarity, the statement attributed to Justice Nwite during proceedings at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, was a general caution routinely issued by the judge to all counsel and litigants appearing before him.
“Justice Nwite is known for consistently warning parties in his court against attempting to approach him outside judicial proceedings, as part of his long-standing judicial culture and commitment to probity. This warning was not specific to Abubakar Malami or any of the defendants in this case, and any attempt to single him out is dishonest,” he said.
The former AGF accused the EFCC of weaponising a standard judicial admonition and spinning it into a sensational narrative aimed at damaging his public image.
“It is therefore disturbing that the EFCC chose to weaponise a routine judicial admonition and spin it into a sensational narrative aimed at tarnishing Malami’s image in the court of public opinion.
“This approach further reinforces our long-held position that the EFCC is persisting in a media trial, rather than allowing the case to be determined strictly on the basis of evidence and due process before the court,” the statement added.
Malami maintained that he and his co-defendants have submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the court and complied with all lawful orders.
“We wish to emphasise that Malami and his co-defendants have submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the court, have complied with all lawful orders made so far, and remain confident that the judicial process will ultimately vindicate them,” he said.
He also urged the EFCC to stop misleading the public through what he described as sensational press releases.
“The proper place to prove allegations is in the courtroom, not in the media,” he said, adding, “No bribe was offered, no judge was approached, and no attempt was made to compromise the court.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Justice Nwite warned lawyers and litigants involved in the case against attempting to approach him for any form of favour.
“I want to admonish and warn counsels and litigants that they should know the type of court they are appearing before. All judges are not the same. Irrespective of my familiarity with you, when I am dealing with any case, do not approach me,” the judge said.
Justice Nwite stressed that lawyers could only serve their clients through diligent legal representation, not through backdoor contacts or personal appeals.
The EFCC is prosecuting Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and their son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, over alleged money laundering involving billions of naira.