"Onoh Accuses Malami of Disregarding Court Orders as AGF"

Table of Contents

• Accusation Against Malami
• Call for EFCC Chairman to Recuse
• Claims of Political Persecution
• Examples of Judicial Disregard
• Handling of IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu
• Independence of the EFCC
• Challenge for Due Process

Former spokesperson for the South-East to President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Josef Onoh, has accused former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, of hypocrisy and a blatant disregard for the rule of law during his time in office.

Onoh, who also serves as the Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, made these allegations in a statement released on Wednesday.

His comments were in response to Malami’s request for the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, to step aside from investigations related to the former AGF due to alleged conflicts of interest.

Onoh urged Malami to refrain from what he termed intimidation of the EFCC leadership and instead cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

He argued that Malami’s claims of political victimization are inconsistent with his record as AGF, during which he alleged that court orders were frequently ignored and prosecutions were influenced by politics.

He pointed to the 2020 dismissal of former acting EFCC chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, claiming that Malami was significantly involved in Magu’s suspension and the subsequent inquiry by the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

Onoh also highlighted the extended detention of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), despite numerous court orders granting him bail, as well as the prosecution of former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh, as instances of what he termed disregard for judicial rulings.

Regarding the management of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, Onoh stated that actions taken during Malami’s tenure faced widespread criticism for breaching court orders.

He dismissed Malami’s reference to the Justice Ayo Salami panel report as justification for requesting Olukoyede’s recusal, contending that the EFCC chairman’s previous role as secretary to the panel does not disqualify him from overseeing investigations.

Onoh emphasized that the EFCC should be permitted to perform its statutory responsibilities without interference, asserting that no former public office holder is exempt from investigation.

He further challenged Malami to adhere to due process and defend his actions in court if he believes he has no case to answer.

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