The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has launched an investigation into allegations of corruption and abuse of office against Abubakar Malami, the immediate-past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. The investigation follows a petition filed by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), which accuses Malami of corruption and high-handedness.
In a memo dated July 19, 2023, signed by the Petition Registrar of ICPC, H.S. Folaranmi, on behalf of the ICPC Chairman, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, it was stated that “necessary action is being taken on the matter” in response to the petition.
HEDA, in its petition dated July 10, 2023, outlined several corruption allegations against Abubakar Malami. The allegations included the distribution of 30 car gifts worth over N1 billion to his supporters in Kebbi State, illegal auctioning of sea vessels holding seized crude oil, and the alleged duplicity of payment of $16.9 million fees to two friends as new lawyers for the recovery of looted funds traced to former Nigerian Head of State, Sani Abacha.
The ICPC’s investigation aims to ascertain the validity of the allegations and gather evidence to determine if there is a case to answer. As the former Attorney-General of the Federation and a key figure in the Nigerian legal and political landscape, this investigation has garnered significant attention due to its potential implications for the fight against corruption and accountability in the country.
