Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has demanded the immediate recusal of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from his ongoing investigation, alleging bias, personal vendetta and political persecution.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Muhammad Doka, Malami accused the EFCC of subjecting him to what he described as illegal detention, media harassment and procedural abuse, claiming the probe was motivated by his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“I have been clearly prejudged and cannot receive a fair, objective or lawful investigation under the current leadership of the EFCC,” Malami said.

The former justice minister traced the alleged bias to events during his tenure as AGF, when the Federal Government constituted the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe allegations of corruption and abuse of office within the EFCC. Malami noted that the current EFCC Chairman served as Secretary to the commission and that the Salami Report reportedly contained adverse findings against him.

“The present investigation bears all the hallmarks of retaliatory persecution motivated by personal vengeance,” Malami alleged.

He called on the EFCC Chairman to step aside from the matter and urged the Attorney-General of the Federation to intervene, insisting that another law enforcement agency should take over the investigation to restore public confidence.

Malami also demanded either his immediate arraignment or release within 24 hours, citing Sections 35(3), (4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), stressing that only a court of competent jurisdiction could lawfully determine his case.

He further accused the EFCC of attempting to rely on individuals convicted by foreign courts and currently serving prison sentences abroad as potential witnesses, describing the move as “desperate, scandalous and corrosive” to Nigeria’s justice system.

According to the statement, Malami’s legal team has requested Certified True Copies of the petitions that triggered the investigation, as well as the EFCC’s investigation report, to enable him prepare his defence.

“I seek no political settlement or inducement. My sole objective is to clear my name openly before a court of competent jurisdiction,” Malami said.

The EFCC had not responded to the allegations.