The Kebbi State government has accused former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), of auctioning recovered properties to family members while in office.
The Kebbi government further accused Malami of inflating and sharing commissions from the recovery of the Abacha loot.
The tenure of the former attorney general had been called to question over numerous infractions to which he denied any wrong doing.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to Governor Nasir Idris, Abdullahi Idris, the government alleged that Malami’s record as minister was riddled with corruption, diversion of public funds, and mismanagement of recovered assets.
It said Malami, instead of addressing the weighty allegations surrounding his tenure, had resorted to “fabricating falsehoods” and launching “a campaign of blackmail and misinformation” against Governor Idris.
“The former minister is haunted by his own questionable record while serving as Minister of Justice,” the statement read. “It is ironic for Malami, who has no verifiable record of public service or landmark professional achievements, to accuse Governor Nasir Idris of financial recklessness.”
The government also alleged that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had frequently visited Malami’s business establishments in Birnin Kebbi — including Raahan Rice Mills, Raahan University, and AZBIR Hotel — as well as several properties linked to him in Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano.
Abdullahi Idris described Governor Nasir Idris as “a nationally recognised unionist and internationally respected labour leader who has successfully led both the Nigeria Union of Teachers and the Nigeria Labour Congress,” adding that the governor had shown “administrative competence and political maturity” since assuming office.
“Kebbi State Government therefore considers Malami’s baseless and mischievous allegations as products of desperation and hopelessness, driven by the burden of his own past actions,” the statement added.
Malami and the Kebbi governor have been enmeshed in an endless war of words in recent times, particulary after Malami blamed a recent attack on his convoy on government’s agents.
