Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has insisted that the ongoing prosecution of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, is not personal.
Malami, along with his wife and son, faces 16 counts of money laundering and abuse of office involving N8.7 billion.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Olukoyede said, “Let me tell you about that particular former attorney-general that you are talking about — there is nothing personal in this matter. If Nigeria is to move forward, all of us must agree that this fight must be fought without being partisan.”
Olukoyede explained that the investigation into Malami predates his tenure as EFCC chairman, adding that he inherited the case and ensured it was professionally and thoroughly handled. “He has been under investigation for almost two and a half years. The file was opened not even under me. I inherited it,” he said.
He further stressed that prosecution only commenced after the commission was satisfied with the strength of the evidence, stating, “Not until I was convinced that we had a watertight case… so there’s nothing personal about it.”
The EFCC boss also rejected claims that the prosecution had political motives, emphasizing the need for accountability and impartial enforcement of the law.