Former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), has denied the allegation of corruption leveled against him by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Obasanjo had in his newly released book, ‘Nigeria: Past and Future’ alleged that corruption was at its worst under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, with Malami being a strong supporter of such practices.
According to Obasanjo, “The most atrocious waste, enthronement of corruption, and discouragement of officials fighting corruption” occurred under President Buhari’s administration, with Malami playing a central role,” and went further to describe Malami as a “devil’s workshop.”
It is instructive to note that during Buhari’s administration, two former State Governors—Joshua Dariye (Plateau) and Jolly Nyame (Taraba)—who had been convicted of fraud, were granted presidential pardons.
Dariye was serving a 10-year sentence for embezzling N1.126bn state funds, while Nyame was serving a 12-year sentence for embezzling N1.64bn.
The Council of State, presided over by Buhari in April 2022, granted the duo pardons on the grounds of age and ill-health.
Both governors were released from Kuje Correctional Facility in the Federal Capital Territory in August 2022, four months after their pardons.
Obasanjo, however, alleged that the pardons were based on the strong advice of Malami and were tainted by corruption.
But it was further gathered that neither Dariye nor Nyame had life-threatening illnesses, as initially claimed.
Obasanjo then said, “It was all part of Malami’s financial shenanigans, and he played many of such to his advantage. His principal concurred, condoned, turned a blind eye and a deaf ear, and paid lip service to fighting corruption while cohabitating comfortably with corruption in multifarious ways.”
But Malami has dismissed the allegation in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, explaining that the process of granting pardons was strictly regulated by law.
He said, “Generally speaking, the issue of pardon is a legal matter regulated by law and prevailing applicable legislations in which a committee on prerogative of mercy, and not the AGF is responsible.
Malami further explained that his role as the AGF was limited to presenting the committee’s report to the Council of State.
He said, “The responsibility for actions and inactions associated with the recommendations of the committee is, therefore, that of the committee and not the Attorney General.”
Malami further criticised the growing trend of unsubstantiated corruption allegations against public officials, both locally and internationally, calling for detailed and evidence-based claims to ensure credibility.
He said, “Our system and polity are characterised by wild and unsubstantiated allegations of corruption as it relates to official acts of governance locally and internationally. We are living witnesses to unguarded allegations even against our well-respected presidents during international media engagements. The Hard Talk interview of President Obasanjo was a relevant case in point.”
Malami also urged that for any allegation of corruption or bribery to hold weight, adequate details must be provided.
He said, “It is only reasonable to provide adequate particulars where allegations of corruption are made. He gives what? How much was given? Who are the facilitators of bribe-taking? Through what medium was the bribe given? What date and time, among other details, are always necessary to ground reasonable suspicion,” Malami said.
Malami added that allegations lacking adequate particulars remain baseless, mischievous, and devoid of actionable grounds for legal pursuit.