Connect with us

Published

on

banner

You’re biased, you can’t investigate me – Former Minister accuses EFCC Chairman

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of pursuing a politically driven investigation against him and has demanded that the commission’s chairman withdraw from the matter.

Advertisement

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, on Monday, December 15, Malami alleged that the probe, including his detention and the threat of prosecution, is rooted in personal bias rather than law.

He linked the action to his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), claiming it has triggered retaliation from the EFCC leadership.

Advertisement

According to Malami, the EFCC chairman has an unresolved grievance dating back to the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which investigated corruption allegations within the commission during Malami’s time as Attorney-General.

He argued that this history makes it impossible for the EFCC, under its current leadership, to handle his case fairly.

Advertisement

He described the investigation as being characterised by unlawful detention, media trials and procedural violations, which he said point to a campaign of persecution rather than a genuine anti-corruption effort.

Malami therefore called for the EFCC chairman to recuse himself and for the case to be transferred to another government agency to preserve impartiality and public trust.

Advertisement

The former justice minister also appealed to the incumbent Attorney-General of the Federation to step in, warning that continued involvement by the EFCC chairman could further undermine the credibility of the institution and amount to an abuse of prosecutorial authority.

Insisting on strict adherence to constitutional safeguards, Malami demanded that any allegations against him be tested promptly before a competent court, in line with Sections 35(3), (4) and (5) of the Constitution. He maintained that only the judiciary, and not what he termed a “politically compromised agency,” has the authority to determine his guilt or innocence.

Advertisement

He further alleged that the EFCC intends to rely on what he described as dubious witnesses, including persons previously convicted abroad, to support its case, a move he said would damage the integrity of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

Malami’s office confirmed that formal requests have been made for certified copies of the petitions and investigation reports underpinning the EFCC’s actions. The petitions were said to have been submitted by Human and Environmental Agenda and Grassroot Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance.

Advertisement

Reaffirming his willingness to submit to lawful judicial scrutiny, Malami said his goal is to clear his name through transparent legal processes, while cautioning against the politicisation of anti-corruption agencies.

“The law must remain supreme above politics, above power, and above persons,” he stated.

Advertisement
banner
Continue Reading
Advertisement

News

NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

Published

on

banner

NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)

Advertisement
banner
Continue Reading

News

Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

Published

on

banner

Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.

Advertisement

National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.

Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.

Advertisement

He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.

Advertisement

“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.

“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)

Advertisement
banner
Continue Reading

News

Rivers Lawmakers fail to resume plenary amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara

Published

on

banner

Rivers Lawmakers fail to resume plenary amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, did not reconvene for plenary on Thursday, a week after adjourning its last session.

Advertisement

During its first sitting of 2026, held last Thursday, the House had initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over alleged gross misconduct. The charges reportedly included the demolition of the state assembly complex and unauthorized spending, among other allegations. That session was adjourned to January 15, 2026.

However, as of noon on Thursday, a visit to the assembly—currently holding sittings at its conference hall along Aba Road—showed no indication that the House would resume.

Advertisement

No official reason has been provided for the delay, and a new date for resumption has not been announced.

Advertisement
banner
Continue Reading

Trending

© 2025, All Rights Reserved | Crime Channels