JUST IN: Malami Publishes Salami Panel Findings, Alleges Conflict of Interest Against EFCC Chair

Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has made public portions of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry report, which he claims implicate the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede.

In a statement released on Tuesday by his media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami said findings contained in Chapter Nine of the report reveal a conflict of interest that, in his view, renders the EFCC chairman’s continued involvement in matters concerning him inappropriate.

Malami explained that the Salami commission was set up during his tenure as Attorney-General to probe allegations of corruption and abuse of office within the EFCC. He noted that the current EFCC chairman served as secretary to the commission at the time.

According to the statement, Chapter Nine of the report reviewed the actions and responsibilities of senior EFCC officials and, in doing so, created personal and professional liabilities for certain individuals who now exercise prosecutorial authority over Malami.

The former AGF argued that the EFCC’s actions against him cannot reasonably be seen as impartial law enforcement, but rather as a personal vendetta linked to unresolved issues arising from the commission’s findings.

He stressed that the legal principle governing recusal is well established and rests on the likelihood of perceived bias, not on proof of actual wrongdoing or malice.

Malami maintained that any objective observer familiar with the circumstances surrounding Chapter Nine of the Salami report would conclude that he cannot expect a fair and unbiased investigation under the current leadership of the EFCC.

He further accused the commission of infringing on his fundamental rights through unlawful restrictions on his liberty and the denial of fair hearing. He also alleged a sustained media trial, driven by selective leaks and public statements designed to sway public opinion before any judicial ruling.

According to Malami, the EFCC’s conduct suggests an effort to criminalise legitimate policy decisions taken during his time in office.

He reiterated his willingness to submit himself to an impartial and independent investigative process and said he would only stand trial before a court with proper jurisdiction.

Malami therefore called for the immediate withdrawal of the EFCC chairman from all matters relating to him.

“This is not a personal quarrel; it is a constitutional matter. Allowing the EFCC to be used as a tool for settling personal grievances threatens the very foundation of the rule of law,” the statement concluded.

“Abubakar Malami, SAN, will continue to demand justice grounded in due process and the law, not persecution through the misuse of power.”