Adeyanju to Malami: EFCC must probe you, public office demands full accountability
Rights activist and lawyer, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, has insisted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission must investigate former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, saying public office demands full accountability.
Adeyanju said Malami’s claim that the EFCC is acting out of political vendetta and lacks the competence to probe him was unfortunate and misleading.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Adeyanju urged the anti graft agency to proceed without hesitation in investigating Malami, particularly over issues linked to his tenure in office.
He specifically called for a thorough probe into all matters surrounding the Abacha loot, noting that Malami’s stewardship as Attorney General cannot be exempt from scrutiny.
“The comments of the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, alleging that the EFCC is on a political vendetta and therefore lacks the competence to investigate him is unfortunate. The EFCC should proceed without hesitation to investigate Mr. Malami, particularly in relation to his stewardship while in office of all issues surrounding the Abacha loot.” He said
According to Adeyanju, public office is a trust, and anyone who has occupied such a position must be ready to give a full account of how that trust was exercised.
He argued that Malami showed little restraint while in government and freely wielded state power against perceived opponents, including members of the opposition.
Adeyanju noted that having presided over the prosecution of several individuals while in office, Malami cannot now seek to avoid the same legal process.
He stressed that accountability must apply equally to all public officials, past or present, adding that no one should be above investigation under the rule of law.
“Public office is a trust, and all past and present public officials must be prepared to give a full account of how that trust was exercised. Malami showed no restraint while in government and wielded state power against everyone including members of the opposition. Having subjected others to prosecution, he cannot now escape from the same process.” Adeyanju said.
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