Federation, Abubakar Malami, has denied corruption allegations
levelled against him.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the
Federation, Abubakar Malami, has written to President Muhammadu
Buhari, denying the allegations of corruption levelled against
him.
This follows a call from a coalition of Civil Society
Organisations asking President Buhari to probe the AGF over 14
high-profile corruption cases and calling for his resignation.
The allegations levelled against Malami, by the CSOs include
“financial fraud” and “influence peddling”, as well as “illegally”
auctioning sea vessels holding crude oil seized by the Federal
Government.
But the minister wrote to the presidency, insisting that he had
declared all his assets and statements of accounts upon his
assumption of office.
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He writes, “Since my appointment as a Minister in your cabinet,
I have conducted myself strictly within the confines of the Code of
Conduct for public officers contained in part 1 of the fifth
schedule of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended.”
“It is to be noted that apart from my successful legal practice
of more than 20 years, seven of which were as a Senior Advocate of
Nigeria (SAN), before my appointment, I have as allowed by law had
interests in business ventures, all of which I had resigned from
active participation upon my appointment,” he added.
Also in the letter, the Minister said he has also decided to
seek redress in court.
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The Minister has been accused of being behind the ordeals of the
former Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, after criticising some of his
actions.
Magu, who was quizzed by the Department of State Services (DSS)
on July 6, was made to appear before a panel of the Federal
Government set up to investigate the allegations of corruption
levelled against him.
The panel led by the retired President of the Court of Appeal,
Justice Ayo Salami grilled Magu for about 10 days before granting
him bail on July 15.
Following Magu’s reported arrest, many Nigerians and groups
reacted to the development, with some commending the Federal
Government’s approach to the war against corruption.
Although Magu denied any wrongdoing, a member of the
Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC),
Professor Femi Odekunle said the DSS invitation is a power play by
blocs in the corridor of power.
According to the PACAC member, Magu was only invited for
questioning regarding some purported memo by the Minister of
Justice.
He explained that the Presidential Advisory Committee perceives
Malami as the arrowhead of the bloc that is not really interested
in President Buhari’s anti-corruption fight.
Read more https://swordpress.com.ng/2020/08/11/malami-writes-buhari-denies-corruption-allegations/