Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has denied corruption allegations made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
In his new book, Nigeria: Past and Future, Obasanjo accused Malami of enabling corruption during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, describing him as a “devil’s workshop.”
Obasanjo criticized Malami’s role in the controversial pardons granted to ex-governors Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, both convicted of embezzlement.
He claimed that the pardons were part of Malami’s corrupt practices, alleging that the duo’s supposed health issues were fabricated to secure their release.
However, Malami responded to these claims in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH, stating that the granting of pardons is a legal process determined by a committee, not the Attorney General.
“The issue of pardon is a legal matter regulated by law… the responsibility for actions related to pardons rests with the committee, not the Attorney General,” he clarified.
Malami also criticized the growing trend of unfounded corruption allegations against public figures, urging that claims be supported by specific evidence.
“It is only reasonable to provide adequate particulars where allegations of corruption are made,” he added, stating that baseless accusations lack legal grounding.
