The former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has vehemently denied corruption allegations levelled against him by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
In his recently released book, Nigeria: Past and Future, Obasanjo accused Malami of playing a central role in the “enthronement of corruption” during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Obasanjo’s scathing criticism asserts that corruption was rampant under Buhari’s government, with Malami allegedly facilitating practices that undermined efforts to combat graft.
Describing Malami as a “devil’s workshop,” Obasanjo claimed that his actions were among the most significant examples of waste and corruption during the former president’s tenure.
The allegations are primarily linked to the controversial pardons granted to two former governors, Joshua Dariye of Plateau State and Jolly Nyame of Taraba State.
Both governors, who had been convicted of embezzling large sums of state funds, were granted presidential pardons in April 2022 by the Council of State, which was presided over by Buhari.
Dariye was serving a 10-year sentence for embezzling N1.126 billion, while Nyame was serving a 12-year sentence for misappropriating N1.64 billion.
Both were released from Kuje Correctional Facility in August 2022, just months after receiving their pardons, which were based on claims of age and ill-health.
Obasanjo alleged that the pardons were strongly influenced by Malami and were riddled with corruption. He further claimed that the health issues of the former governors were later found to be exaggerated, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the pardons.
“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,” Obasanjo wrote.
In response, Malami dismissed the allegations in an exclusive interview, emphasising that the process of granting pardons is governed by law, not by the Attorney General. He explained that it is a legal matter managed by a committee on the prerogative of mercy, and not an individual official.
“The issue of pardon is a legal matter regulated by law and prevailing applicable legislation, where a committee on prerogative of mercy, and not the Attorney General, is responsible,” Malami stated.
He further clarified that his role was limited to presenting the committee’s report to the Council of State, and that the responsibility for any action or inaction concerning the pardons lay with the committee, not with him.
Malami also addressed the broader issue of corruption allegations in Nigerian politics, which he claimed are often unsubstantiated and reckless.
He criticised the frequent nature of such accusations, both in Nigeria and internationally, and called for a more evidence-based approach.
“Our system and polity are characterised by wild and unsubstantiated allegations of corruption as it relates to official acts of governance, 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 remarked.
The former Minister of Justice concluded by emphasising that for any corruption or bribery allegation to be credible, it must be backed by specific details, including amounts, facilitators, and the methods of bribery. Without such particulars, Malami argued, such allegations remain baseless, mischievous, and unsuitable for legal pursuit.
“It is only reasonable to provide adequate particulars where allegations of corruption are made, Without such details, allegations remain unsubstantiated and without actionable grounds for legal action,” Malami said.
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