Photo: Malami (SAN)
By: Daniel Kanu
Prominent public figures, including former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu; former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu; and former Senator Dino Melaye, have weighed in on the ongoing prosecution of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, describing it as a sobering reminder about the fleeting nature of power in Nigeria.
The trio shared their views in separate posts on X (formerly Twitter) following Malami’s arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on December 30, 2025. Malami was charged alongside his son and an associate on 16 counts bordering on alleged money laundering involving billions of naira.
Commenting on the development, Moghalu said the case should serve as a lesson to public officeholders who act as though power is permanent. According to him, public office in Nigeria has increasingly become disconnected from competence, ideology and values such as integrity.
“By now anyone taking public office in Nigeria should understand the transience of power,” Moghalu wrote, adding that “when people carry on in office like tomorrow will never arrive, the hunters will become the hunted.”
He, however, cautioned against prejudging the case, stressing that Malami remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. Moghalu also expressed concern about Nigeria’s history of corruption cases that often end without clear conclusions.
Odinkalu, on his part, recalled Malami’s role as Attorney-General in the removal of former EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, noting what he described as irony in the current situation.
“It was not long ago that Abubakar Malami hounded Ibrahim Magu out of the EFCC, pretty much over control of recovered loot,” Odinkalu said, adding that Magu is now living a quiet life in retirement.
According to Odinkalu, Malami has now been arraigned on multiple counts of looting and money laundering, alongside a wife and a son, and will remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their bail application.
He expressed hope that Malami would receive a fair trial, stating that “many men and women around power today will miss the significant lessons in Malami’s present predicament.”
Former Senator Dino Melaye also reacted, drawing parallels between Malami’s court appearance and his own past legal battles when Malami served as Attorney-General.
“Reminded me of how I was appearing in different courts when Malami as AGF was prosecuting me over frivolous cases,” Melaye said, adding that he wished the former justice minister well.
Malami’s arraignment has continued to generate public debate, with many observers viewing the case as a test of Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and the accountability of former public officeholders.
