EFCC denies political bias in probe of Ex-AGF Malami
By KEMI KASUMU
Olukoyede said the case against Malami predated his tenure as EFCC chairman and was inherited by his administration.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied allegations that its operations target opposition figures, insisting that investigations are conducted without regard to political affiliation.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, made the clarification in an exclusive interview with Channels Television, where he said the ongoing investigation and prosecution of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, are not politically motivated.
Olukoyede said the case against Malami predated his tenure as EFCC chairman and was inherited by his administration.
“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,” he said during the Sunday Politics programme.
According to him, Malami has been under investigation for nearly two and a half years, stressing that the case file was opened before he assumed office.
“Yes, I edited the investigation file, but what I did was to ensure that the investigation was carried out in a very professional and thorough manner,” Olukoyede said. “For over two years, we have painstakingly carried out investigations to establish these offences.”
The EFCC chairman added that charges were filed only after he was convinced the commission had a strong case.
“Not until I was convinced that we had a watertight case did we proceed. There is nothing personal about it. I don’t understand the issue of persecution,” he said.
The EFCC recently arraigned Malami, his wife, and son on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering.
On January 7, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties. The court ruled that the sureties must own landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa, and ordered the defendants to deposit their travel documents with the court.
Prior to the bail ruling, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State accused the EFCC of witch-hunt and political victimisation in the prosecution of Malami.
The party alleged that selective enforcement of the law by anti-graft agencies poses a serious challenge to democracy and the rule of law.
