In a fiery response to swirling allegations, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has strongly denied claims suggesting he operates 46 hidden bank accounts, labeling the accusations as a “well-orchestrated political witch-hunt and a clear act of intimidation.”Malami, who served under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, described the reports as baseless, malicious, and intentionally designed to tarnish his reputation following his exit from office. Speaking through his legal counsel on Monday, the former minister accused certain political actors and interest groups of attempting to drag his name through the mud for refusing to be a puppet while in office.
This is nothing but a desperate attempt to blackmail me and distract Nigerians from the real issues,”Malami said. “I challenge anyone with proof of these alleged 46 accounts to come forward. I have always declared my assets as required by law and have submitted to due process throughout my public service.”
The allegations surfaced last week in an unverified online report claiming that Malami operated multiple local and foreign accounts through proxies during his time in office — an act that, if proven, would violate Nigeria’s Code of Conduct for public officials. However, Malami insists the accusations are “fabricated lies sponsored by political enemies”, especially with current investigations into financial misappropriation among several former government officials.He further noted that the timing of the report is suspicious, coinciding with recent calls for his probe by civil society groups and opposition lawmakers. “There are forces who are afraid of what I know and what I stand for.
They want to silence me and discredit me before the public,” he added.Malami has vowed to seek legal redress against media outlets and individuals peddling the claims, warning that he would not sit back and allow falsehoods to define his legacy.Political observers believe this saga could open yet another chapter in Nigeria’s complex political arena, where former public officials are often caught between genuine accountability efforts and political vendettas.
The EFCC and Code of Conduct Bureau are yet to release official statements on whether an investigation has been opened on the matter.
