The Northern Anti-Corruption Network (NACG) has described the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) invitation of former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, as long overdue, insisting that the anti-graft agency must thoroughly investigate every petition against him and ensure he faces the full weight of the law.
The group’s convener, Comrade Yusuf Bello, in a statement, said Nigerians are not surprised that Malami was allowed to return home after his appearance at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
According to the group, the ex-AGF has committed more crimes against the country and humanity than Sambo Dasuki and Nnamdi Kanu combined yet is walking freely.
The EFCC had on November 24 invited Malami for questioning over an undisclosed investigation through a letter signed by Sunday Ofen-Imu on behalf of Chairman Ola Olukoyede.
The invitation, issued pursuant to Section 38(1) and (2) of the EFCC Establishment Act 2024, required the former AGF to appear at the commission’s Jabi office to provide information on a case under investigation.
While the specific allegations remain undisclosed, the Northern Anti-Corruption Network listed several high-profile cases against Malami that it believes the EFCC must pursue aggressively.
These include his alleged role in the $2.4 billion Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) fraud, where he reportedly facilitated the diversion of funds through proxy companies.
The group also accused Malami of sabotaging the recovery of $1.3 billion from the Malabu Oil OPL 245 scandal, allegedly receiving kickbacks from multinational oil companies.
They further alleged that as AGF, Malami awarded a N750 million contract for 13 operational vehicles to a company linked to his associates without evidence of delivery or service.
“Malami siphoned over N30 billion from the National Social Investment Programme funds under the pretext of COVID-19 palliatives,” Comrade Bello alleged, adding that the former AGF acquired prime properties worth over N50 billion in Abuja and Lagos through cronies, far exceeding his legitimate income.
The group also accused Malami of compromising the judiciary by handpicking judges for appointment in exchange for favourable rulings and shielding corrupt officials from prosecution.
They claimed his family laundered billions through opaque companies in real estate and agriculture sectors.
The Northern Anti-Corruption Network expressed dismay that despite numerous petitions documenting these alleged crimes, the EFCC had delayed action until now.
“This investigation is almost coming too late, but we welcome it. The commission must leave no stone unturned,” Bello stated.
The group also highlighted the alleged of terrorism sponsor against Malalmi.
The Northern Anti-Corruption Network warned that allowing Malami to evade justice would embolden other corrupt officials and undermine public confidence in anti-corruption efforts.
“The EFCC must detain him, investigate every kobo he stole, freeze his assets, and prosecute him to serve as a deterrent to others,” Bello demanded.
They also urged the National Judicial Council to investigate Malami’s role in compromising judicial independence and called on the Department of State Services to probe his alleged connections to terrorist financing networks.