Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has claimed that his offices and residences have been raided by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Speaking via a statement issued on Wednesday by his office, he lamented that the anti-graft agency raided his offices and private residences in Abuja and Kebbi state.
He alleged that the raid was because of his recent reference to the Justice Ayo Salami report.
The statement signed by Malami’s Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, disclosed that the raids occurred immediately after the ex-minister made a public statement referencing Chapter 9 of the Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report.
According to the statement, the EFCC operatives allegedly targeted documents related to that chapter, without prior notice.
The statement described the action of the EFCC as “deeply alarming”, noting that they amount to intimidation and retaliation, following Malami’s call for the EFCC chairman’s recusal from his ongoing probe due to alleged bias stemming from the Salami Report.
Chapter 9 of the Salami report allegedly contains findings implicating senior EFCC officials, including the current Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
“We hereby place Nigerians and the international community on notice that any harm to our personnel or to Abubakar Malami, SAN, will be solely attributable to this pattern of conduct,” the statement warned.
Malami’s office urged the media and the public to question the timing and justification of the raids, as well as the long-standing contention over Chapter 9.
It called on the civil society, professional bodies and human rights groups to demand the full release of the Salami report for transparency.
This development follows ongoing EFCC investigation into allegations against Malami, including abuse of office, money laundering, and issues related to former military president Sani Abacha loot recoveries.