A former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has refuted reports that he is on the run over allegations of corruption.
After the suspension of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, over his conduct while in office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, there have been reports that Malami has left the country in a bid to evade arrest and investigation.
Malami, who hails from Kebbi State, held sway as the chief law officer of the country throughout the eight years reign of President Muhammadu Buhari.
When Bawa was named as the EFCC Chairman in 2021, Malami exclusively told Daily Times that he recommended him based on his competence.
“I am happy that most of the comments made are not on his capacity, intelligence, competence, and the associated ability to deliver. His capacity to deliver was never questioned across the nation,” he said in March 2021.
However, the suspension of Bawa on Wednesday has raised dust about the stewardship of Malami.
We reliably gathered through a source in the EFCC that the anti-graft agency was interested to find out from Malami the alleged loss of over $2.4 billion in revenue from the illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil export in 2015 including all crude oil exports and sales by Nigeria from 2014 till date.
The anonymous disclosed that the former minister has been invited.
The source added that there are other issues the former Attorney-General of the federation would respond to when he finally honours the invitation.
But contrary to the source’s claim, in an interview last night with Daily Times, Malami said, “I have not been invited by the EFCC or any other anti-corruption agency in Nigeria. I’m available in Nigeria and attending a wedding Fatiha slated for 2.30 at Sheikh Isiyaka Rabi’u Mosque, Kano, tomorrow (today).
“I have no plan of leaving Nigeria and I will gladly honour any invitation extended to me by any agency of government. I’m a true Nigerian and I believe in the Nigerian project.
“I will make myself available to Nigeria and its institutions on demand.”
