A former South-East spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr. Denge Josef Onoh, has criticised former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, SAN, over his recent call for the recusal of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, from investigations involving him.
In a statement made available to journalists from his residence in Paris, Onoh said he had carefully reviewed Malami’s public statement, in which the former AGF cited alleged conflicts arising from Chapter Nine of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report as grounds for seeking Olukoyede’s recusal.
According to Onoh, Malami’s position was “pathetic and unfortunate,” arguing that it amounted to an attempt to exert pressure on the leadership of the EFCC.
“As AGF, you never obeyed court orders. You cannot blackmail the EFCC Chairman,” Onoh stated.
Malami had argued that the EFCC’s actions against him reflected a “personal vendetta” and alleged political persecution, contending that Olukoyede’s previous role as Secretary to the Salami Panel created a reasonable apprehension of bias.
Reacting, Onoh described the claims as ironic, noting that Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General was itself marked by several high-profile legal controversies.
“It is particularly ironic—and revealing—that former AGF Abubakar Malami now cries ‘personal vendetta’ and ‘political persecution’ against the EFCC,” Onoh said.
He recalled that during Malami’s time as AGF, several prosecutions and legal decisions attracted public criticism and debate, including allegations of disregard for court orders and prolonged detentions in politically sensitive cases.
Onoh also referenced the 2020 suspension of former EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, noting that Malami had played a central role in events that led to the establishment of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
According to him, Magu was never prosecuted or convicted following the panel’s work, but his removal nonetheless ended his tenure at the anti-graft agency.
“This episode exemplifies the very ‘vendetta’ and ‘persecution by power’ that Malami now attributes to the current EFCC leadership,” Onoh argued.
He further cited cases such as the prolonged detention of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), and the prosecution of former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, as examples that had sparked national debate on the rule of law during Malami’s tenure.
On the controversial proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the prosecution of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, Onoh said the handling of the matter under Malami also drew criticism from rights advocates and legal commentators.
“These actions,” he said, “are now being cited in public discourse as part of the broader debate on the use of prosecutorial powers during that period.”
Onoh maintained that Malami’s demand for the EFCC Chairman’s recusal had no clear legal foundation, stressing that Olukoyede’s previous administrative role on the Salami Panel did not automatically disqualify him from overseeing investigations.
“The law on recusal applies to judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings where bias is established, not routine law enforcement investigations,” he said.
He added that, in his view, nothing in the Salami Report barred the EFCC from investigating former public officials, including former Attorneys-General.
Onoh urged Malami to submit himself to due process rather than pursue his case through public statements.
“If Mr. Malami is truly confident in his innocence, he should cooperate fully with investigators and defend himself in court, instead of resorting to media narratives,” he said.
He also called for greater transparency, suggesting that public office holders should be open about their assets.
“In the spirit of accountability, Mr. Malami should consider publicly clarifying his asset profile before and after public service,” Onoh added.
Concluding, Onoh said the EFCC must be allowed to carry out its statutory duties without intimidation or interference.
“Nigerians demand justice without selective application. Attempts to undermine the EFCC through pressure or public accusations will not succeed under the administration of President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
