The office of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has described coordinated raids by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on its offices and Malami’s private residences as acts of “intimidation and retaliation.”
The raids in Abuja and Kebbi State on Friday followed a public statement by Malami’s office referencing Chapter 9 of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report, a section alleged to contain findings that question the appropriateness of the current EFCC Chairman’s position.
In a press statement released and signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami’s office stated that EFCC operatives conducted the searches “without prior notice” and were “expressly directed at searching for documents allegedly connected to Chapter 9 of the Salami Report.”
“We consider this development deeply alarming,” the statement read. “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 office framed the operation as a vindictive response to its earlier demand for transparency, questioning the timing and motive.
“Why did these raids occur immediately after public reference to Chapter 9? What specific authority justified searches focused on Chapter 9 of the Salami Report?” the statement queried, urging the media and the public to seek answers.
Elevating the rhetoric, the former Minister’s office issued a stark warning: “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.”
It further called on civil society organizations, professional bodies, and human rights groups to pressure the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Justice to publicly release the full Salami Report, “particularly Chapter 9—in the interest of transparency, accountability, and public confidence.”
Reiterating Malami’s position, the statement concluded that he “remains committed to submitting himself to a neutral and lawful process before a court of competent jurisdiction,” asserting that “intimidation, raids, and media trials cannot substitute for due process.”
The press release ended with a forewarning: “More reports coming soon…..”
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