By Jikan waziri.
The Nigerian political scene has once again been thrust into a spectacle that blurs the line between legitimate oversight and calculated retribution. On 24 November 2025 the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) issued a summons to former Attorney‑General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (CON, SAN). The letter, dated exactly one week after Malami declared his intention to contest the governorship of Kebbi State, set off a frenzy on social media, with the hashtag _Minister of Justice_ trending alongside accusations of a politically motivated witch‑hunt.
Contextualising the Timing
Malami announced his candidacy on 17 November, placing him squarely in the public eye as a potential challenger to the established power brokers in Kebbi. Within seven days the EFCC’s invitation arrived a coincidence that strains credulity when examined against Nigeria’s recent history of selective anti‑corruption enforcement. The timing is not merely incidental; it exemplifies a pattern in which state agencies are deployed to neutralise emerging political actors. The fact that the summons was issued on the very day Malami’s gubernatorial aspirations became public cannot be dismissed as a bureaucratic footnote.
A Man of Service, Not of Crime
Abubakar Malami served as Attorney‑General and Minister of Justice under President Buhari with a reputation for diligence and legal acumen. His tenure was marked by high‑profile legal initiatives that, while controversial, were undertaken within the framework of his constitutional duties. Subjecting a former minister of his stature to interrogation under circumstances that appear driven by political calculus undermines the principle of ministerial independence that the constitution seeks to protect. Malami’s own response “I will honour the invitation without hesitation”, has been portrayed by some as an attempt to garner sympathy, yet it can also be read as the measured reply of a man confident in the integrity of his record. Suggesting that his compliance is a political stunt overlooks the broader implication: a seasoned public servant is being forced to defend himself against a process that many Nigerians perceive as a weaponised instrument of the ruling elite.
The Party Switch and Its Consequences
The narrative gains further complexity when one recalls that Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, left the All Progressives Congress (APC) in July 2025 to join the Alliance of Democratic Change (ADC), a coalition seeking to challenge the dominance of the APC. This defection did not go unnoticed. In a polity where party loyalty is often rewarded with immunity, a departure can be interpreted as a threat, prompting swift retaliation. The EFCC’s summons, arriving on the heels of his new political alignment, appears less like a neutral exercise of authority and more like a punitive measure aimed at discouraging dissent.
Nigerians’ Awareness of Corrupt Appointments
It is disingenuous to discuss the Malami case without acknowledging the broader context of ministerial appointments under the current administration. Nigerians are acutely aware that several individuals with questionable financial histories have been entrenched in the cabinet, yet the EFCC’s gaze has seldom, if ever, turned toward them with the same alacrity. This selective focus fuels the perception that anti‑corruption agencies are being used as tools for political cleansing rather than as impartial guardians of public integrity.
A Call for Genuine Accountability ⚖️
While no one is above the law, the law must be applied without fear or favour. The EFCC’s invitation to Malami, framed by a conspicuous temporal proximity to his political ambitions, raises legitimate concerns about the agency’s independence. If the commission wishes to restore public confidence, it must demonstrate that its investigations are insulated from partisan influence and that they target individuals based on credible evidence rather than political convenience.
In the final analysis
The episode surrounding Abubakar Malami is less a story of anti‑corruption zeal and more an illustration of how state institutions can be co‑opted to silence dissenting voices. It is a political witch‑hunt that exploits legal mechanisms to undermine a potential challenger while ignoring the glaring contradictions in the current administration’s appointment record. Nigerians, ever vigilant, see through this charade and demand a higher standard of integrity from both their elected representatives and the agencies tasked with overseeing them. The Malami affair should serve as a stark reminder that without genuine, non‑partisan accountability, the spectre of political persecution will continue to haunt the nation’s democratic aspirations.
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