ABUJA — Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has accused operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of conducting coordinated raids on his offices and private residences in Abuja and Kebbi State on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. The allegations, detailed in a statement released on Wednesday, December 17, by his media aide Mohammed Bello Doka, come amid an ongoing EFCC investigation into Malami over claims of abuse of office, money laundering, and matters related to the recovery of looted funds from late dictator Sani Abacha.
According to the statement posted on Malami's Facebook page and widely circulated in Nigerian media, the raids were carried out without prior notice and were "expressly directed at searching for documents allegedly connected to Chapter 9 of the Salami Report." Malami's office described the actions as "deeply alarming," suggesting they occurred immediately after a public call for EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede's recusal from the probe due to alleged bias stemming from the report.
The Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry was established in 2020 under Malami's supervision as AGF to investigate allegations of corruption within the EFCC during the tenure of suspended Chairman Ibrahim Magu. The panel, chaired by retired Justice Ayo Salami, submitted its report in 2021, but it has never been fully released to the public. Chapter 9 is reportedly contentious, with Malami's camp claiming it implicates senior EFCC officials, including Olukoyede, who served as secretary to the commission.
"We consider this development deeply alarming. Coming on the heels of a public call for the EFCC Chairman’s recusal on grounds of bias arising from Chapter 9, these raids raise grave concerns about intimidation, retaliation, and the safety of our staff and of Abubakar Malami, SAN," the statement read. It further warned: "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."
Malami's office posed several questions to the public and media, including: Why did the raids occur immediately after referencing Chapter 9? What authority justified searches focused on the report? And why has the chapter remained contentious years after submission? The statement urged civil society, professional bodies, and human rights groups to pressure the government for the full release of the Salami Report, particularly Chapter 9, to promote transparency and accountability.
The raids escalate tensions in what has been a protracted EFCC probe into Malami, who served as AGF from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. Recent petitions accuse him of involvement in a $16.9 million legal fees scam tied to Abacha loot recoveries and acquiring unexplained assets, including hotels, universities, and rice mills in Kebbi and Abuja. Malami was invited for questioning on November 28, 2025, granted administrative bail with conditions, but reportedly failed to meet them, leading to his re-invitation and detention on December 8.
EFCC sources confirmed the searches to media outlets, describing them as necessary for the ongoing investigation rather than targeted retaliation. The commission has previously denied political motivations in Malami's case, emphasizing its apolitical stance and noting that bail conditions remain unmet.
Malami's team reiterated his willingness to face a "neutral and lawful process before a court of competent jurisdiction," insisting that "intimidation, raids, and media trials cannot substitute for due process." The former AGF has consistently maintained his innocence, framing the probe as politically motivated and tainted by conflict of interest due to Olukoyede's past role.
This incident highlights broader concerns over anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria, where high-profile cases often involve accusations of bias or vendetta. The unreleased Salami Report continues to fuel debates on institutional accountability within the EFCC. As the investigation proceeds, calls for transparency intensify, with observers watching whether the matter escalates to court or yields further disclosures.
Malami, a prominent figure from Kebbi State and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, remains a polarizing personality in legal and political circles. The EFCC has not issued a formal public statement on the specific raids as of December 18, but prior responses stress adherence to legal procedures.
Civil society groups have yet to respond en masse, but the allegations could spark renewed demands for the Salami Report's declassification, potentially shedding light on long-standing EFCC internal issues.
