EFCC Chair Olukoyede Denies Personal Vendetta, Says Malami’s N8.7bn Money Laundering Probe Began Under Bawa
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has dismissed claims of personal animosity against former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, who is currently standing trial over alleged N8.7 billion money laundering offences before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.
Speaking on the matter, Mr Olukoyede insisted that the case has no personal undertones, stressing that the EFCC’s actions are strictly guided by due process and professionalism. “There is absolutely nothing personal about this matter,” he stated.
PulseNets learnt that the EFCC boss was responding to claims by Mr Malami that he was being unfairly targeted and “persecuted” by the anti-graft agency. The former justice minister had earlier called on Mr Olukoyede to step aside from the investigation, alleging that the EFCC chairman harboured resentment against him following the 2020 findings of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which reportedly mentioned Mr Olukoyede.
Addressing the allegation during a Sunday evening interview on Channels Television, Mr Olukoyede pushed back firmly, noting that the probe into Mr Malami’s activities began long before he assumed office. “I want Nigerians to clearly understand that this investigation did not start with me. It predates my tenure, and many people are unaware of that fact,” he said. “My responsibility was to ensure that the process was handled thoroughly and professionally.”
According to information obtained by PulseNets, Mr Olukoyede explained that the EFCC only proceeded to court after investigators were satisfied that the evidence gathered was solid and comprehensive. “This individual has been under investigation for close to two and a half years. The case file was opened before my appointment. Since I came on board, we have carefully and painstakingly worked to establish the alleged offences,” he explained.
He added that the commission exercised restraint until it was confident of its findings. “It was only when I became convinced that we had a watertight case, and Nigerians can attest to that, that the matter was taken to court. So, I honestly do not understand the narrative of persecution,” Mr Olukoyede told PulseNets.
The EFCC chairman also challenged those insisting that he was indicted by the Justice Ayo Salami panel to make the report public. “For those claiming that I was indicted by the Ayo Salami panel, the burden lies on them to release the report so Nigerians can see for themselves,” he said.
Meanwhile, developments in court have seen an order for the interim forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly linked to Mr Malami.
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PulseNets reported that on January 7, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court granted bail in the sum of N500 million each to Mr Malami, his wife, Bashir Asabe, and their son, Abdulaziz. The trio is facing 16 counts bordering on money laundering and all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
