REJOINDER: Shredding the Lies – A Forensic Disassembly of the Coordinated Smear Campaign Against Abubakar Malami SAN

By Mohammed Bello Doka

It is said that when lies are repeated often enough, the lazy begin to confuse them for truth. But not today—not on my watch.

The article titled “Abubakar Malami SAN: A Review of Controversies That Have Tainted His Public Image”, allegedly authored by Abubakar Mijinyawa for Kebbi State Concerned Professionals, is a disgraceful cocktail of hearsay, poor journalism, and malicious misdirection. It lacks substance, accuracy, and decency, and deserves nothing short of a thorough intellectual demolition. It is a clear display of ignorance of law and administrative processes in governace.

Let’s be clear: this is not a review; it is a politically orchestrated attack disguised as concern. And I will now, with facts, figures, and logic, destroy every baseless claim line by line.

1. Abdulrasheed Maina Reinstatement: A Misunderstood Bureaucratic Chain, Not Malami’s Personal Project
To say Malami reinstated Maina is a deliberate distortion of facts by personality exhibiting clear ignorance of governance and administrative process. The reinstatement originated from the Federal Civil Service Commission, triggered by a judgment from the National Industrial Court.

Malami, in his capacity as Attorney General, wrote a legal opinion—not a reinstatement letter. That is his constitutional duty. Buhari ordered Maina’s removal in the exercise of his executive constitutional powers. A Senate report never indicted Malami personally either through its oversight function much less of its law making spirit.

Where is the evidence that Malami ordered Maina’s return? None.
The system does not operate arbitrarily and an order for reinstatement is not a function of the Attorney General.

2. Rules of Professional Conduct Amendment: A Power the AGF Legally Holds

The 2007 Rules of Professional Conduct were issued by the AGF, not the NBA. According to Section 12(4) of the Legal Practitioners Act, only the AGF has the legal power to make or amend such rules.

So, 10,000 lawyers could sign 1 million petitions, but it would remain legally impotent. Facts don’t bend to mob outrage. The law is in place and it naturally prevails.

3. Vessel Auctions: Another Lazy Attempt at Guilt by Association

The claim that Malami "authorized illegal auctions" is laughable. All auctions followed court-forfeiture orders, and the EFCC itself was involved in many of these processes. No funds were unaccounted for, and no criminal charge has ever been filed against Malami.

Did Sahara Reporters ever publish evidence? No bank records. No memos. Just anonymous “sources”. Journalism or fiction?

4. Wealth Allegations: Where Are the Documents? Where Are the Charges?

This is one of the most regurgitated lies. The claims that Malami owns 12-storey hotels, private jets, and universities are based solely on gossip blogs like Sahara Reporters and enemies within the political circle.

Fact Check:

No anti-corruption agency has indicted Malami.
No court has issued a warrant.
Malami’s declared assets are with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and have never been flagged.
In 2020, he even publicly demanded that anyone with evidence should come forward. Nobody has. Why? Because there is none.

5. Dropping Corruption Cases? That’s What the Constitution Empowers Him To Do and that he can legitimately do as a constitutional custodian of public interest and in the interest of justice. The question is whether the public interest is in any way compromised in the statutory exercise of the powers. The answer is No

Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is clear: the Attorney-General can discontinue any criminal proceeding in the public interest.

Malami’s action on the Saraki and Goje cases are well documented through judicial process and proceedings.
Revisit the records and be accordingly guided. Malami didn’t drop any case.

6. “Controlling” EFCC? That’s Constitutional Oversight, Not Coup

The Ministry of Justice is the parent supervising ministry of the EFCC with particular regards to prosecution of cases. Period.

Malami’s recommendation to reform the EFCC was part of an institutional accountability plan. It’s funny how people who call for reform cry foul when it touches their sacred cows.

And as for Abdulrasheed Bawa? He was appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Did Malami hypnotize the entire National Assembly too? Wonders never aid in display of ignorance.

7. Recovered Funds Misappropriation: Lies That Can’t Stand in Court

Another empty bullet.

Despite the noise, no audit report, EFCC probe, or legislative inquiry has indicted Malami for any financial infraction regarding recovered loot. Recovered assets were factored into national budget, appropriated and committed to social investment programs and infrastructure development. The recovered assets were lodged into federal government assets recovery accounts maintained with central bank of nigeria. The office of the Attorney General was never a signatory to any of the federal government accounts.
The office of the accountant general of the federation and federal ministry of finance are.
How then was the looting perpetrated?
A conspiracy of the three? That remains free and not indicted? Wonderful 

Malami appeared before the National Assembly in 2021 and submitted official records from the OAGF and CBN. Not a single document proved misappropriation.

If he stole money, from which account under his care was any fund missing? and where is the charge sheet and proof of evidence?

8. Abacha Loot Legal Fees – A Non-Issue Politicized by Ignorance

Yes, Malami proposed the payment of $16.9 million in legal fees—not to himself, but to Nigerian and international lawyers who handled the Abacha loot recovery. The payment was sanctioned by the federal executive council at a session with the president, the vice president and cabinet ministers in attendance 

The memo was deliberated, approved and the Finance Ministry was directed by the council to pay. It was a case of collective responsibility and not Malami’s unilateral decision. Professional fees were paid for recoveries made. Case is accordingly closed.

9. Judge Raids? Malami Denied and Condemned It Publicly

The raid on Justice Mary Odili’s residence was conducted by rogue officers using forged documents. Malami issued a public disclaimer, and the police later arrested those involved.

Where is the link between Malami and the impersonator? Where is the evidence he sanctioned it?

There is none. Just mischievous insinuation and innuendo.

10. Keystone FX Conversion – A Banking Transaction Malami Had No Role In

The Central Bank supervises foreign exchange transactions. Not the AGF.

The conversion of $40 million at a lower rate is a regulatory issue. Malami has no power to fix exchange rates or direct commercial banks. This allegation is like blaming the Minister of Justice for fuel pump price hikes. Laughable insinuation devoid of common sense logic.

On “Near Pauper” Claims – Laughable and Insulting

Before public service, Malami was already a senior lawyer, elevated to the coveted rank of a senior advocate of Nigeria at the age of 41 with a flourishing successful private legal practice and a principal partner of a successful firm- A. A Malami & Co.

A businessman and a politician.

The “pauper” narrative to characterize a senior advocate of repute elevated seven years before being appointed a minister is a cheap insult certainly devoid of logic. If Malami was broke in 2015, show his CCB declaration to prove it. Otherwise, shut up.

Final Thoughts: When Truth Becomes a Threat, Lies Become a Weapon

The desperation to tarnish Malami’s legacy is glaring. But lies, no matter how many times recycled, will never become truth.

This is the man who:

Saved Nigeria $11billion in the P&ID scandal;
Recovered over $3.2 billion in looted assets;
Reformed the criminal justice system with digitization and fast-track prosecution schemes;
Led Nigeria through complex international arbitrations and won.
And yet, his critics bring gossip, blogposts, and anonymous sources.

Let It Be Known

If integrity in public service were a crime, the  Malami will not walk free but if competence and legal brilliance were sins, then let him be guilty.

But until then, enemies of reform should try something new—like honesty.

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