The Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) has called for a full, transparent, and uncompromised prosecution of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), describing the ongoing investigation as a defining test of Nigeria’s commitment to justice, accountability, and the rule of law.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, CHRICED said Malami’s years in office under the Buhari administration were marked by “extraordinary influence” that often appeared to place him above the very institutions he was meant to strengthen.
According to the group, many Nigerians watched as the former AGF “moved through government like a colossus,” allegedly shaping outcomes, weakening institutions, shielding allies, and targeting perceived opponents.
CHRICED recalled the turbulence within the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during Malami’s tenure, citing the public humiliation of former Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu, the dissolution of the EFCC board, and the eventual appointment of a perceived ally as chairman.
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The organisation noted the irony that one of the EFCC officials allegedly sidelined during that period is now among those leading investigations into Malami’s activities.
“The moment demands integrity,” the group said, warning that when those entrusted with justice compromise it, the damage spreads far deeper than ordinary wrongdoing.
CHRICED also linked the allegations against Malami to the broader hardship experienced by Nigerians during the eight years of the Buhari administration.
The group said that while citizens endured failing public schools, collapsing hospitals, worsening insecurity, and the trauma of the Naira redesign that plunged millions into cash scarcity, political elites allegedly prospered.
“While public institutions were left to decay, private schools, hospitals, and businesses—allegedly funded by public resources—thrived,” the statement said, adding that this growing gap between public suffering and elite comfort has become a symbol of Nigeria’s governance crisis.
It further referenced public reports alleging that Malami may have accumulated unexplained wealth running into hundreds of billions of naira, with figures of over ₦250 billion frequently mentioned. While stressing that these remain allegations until proven in court, the organisation insisted that Nigerians deserve clarity.
“A man who once wielded the justice system to silence dissent must now fully submit himself to that same system,” the group said, adding that this is the moment for Nigeria’s institutions to prove they cannot be compromised.
The organisation warned current public office holders to learn from the unfolding situation, noting that power and influence are temporary and that the consequences of impunity endure long after officials leave office.
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CHRICED acknowledged the EFCC’s role in bringing the matter to public attention but said the ultimate responsibility now lies with the Tinubu administration. It questioned whether the government would allow justice to run its full course or whether political considerations would once again derail accountability, as seen in past high-profile cases.
“This case is not just about one man,” the statement concluded. “It is about whether Nigeria will finally end the culture of impunity, stop recycling individuals with unresolved corruption allegations into positions of power, and restore public trust in governance.”
CHRICED reaffirmed its demand for a transparent and independent judicial process, stressing that if Malami is innocent, the courts should clear him, and if he is guilty, justice must be served without fear or favour.