Odinkalu reacts, says it’s a sobering lesson
Our Reporter, Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
The presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, also directed that Malami’s co-defendants—his son, Abubakar Malami, and one of his wives, Bashir Asabe—be remanded in custody.
The order followed arguments presented by the defence team, led by Joseph Daudu (SAN), and the prosecution, represented by Ekele Iheneacho (SAN).
Malami and his co-defendants are facing a 16-count charge of money laundering brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
It’s a sobering lesson – Odinkalu
Menwhile, rights activist and former National Human Rights Commission chairman, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, on Tuesday reacted to the reported remand of a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), his wife and son at the Kuje Correctional Centre, describing the development as a sobering lesson for those who wield power.
In a social media post shared after proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Odinkalu said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Malami alongside a member of his family and a son on multiple counts bordering on alleged looting and money laundering.
According to Odinkalu, the court ordered that the three defendants be remanded in Kuje prison pending the hearing of their bail application, fixed for 2 January, meaning they would spend the New Year in custody.
Reflecting on recent history, Odinkalu recalled that Malami, while in office, played a key role in the removal of former EFCC acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu, from the anti-graft agency, reportedly over disagreements related to the control of recovered assets. Odinkalu noted that Magu has since retired and now lives what he described as a quiet and modest life.
“Malami went on to acquire incredible loot of his own,” Odinkalu wrote, adding that many people currently close to power might fail to draw lessons from Malami’s present predicament.
While emphasising the importance of due process, Odinkalu expressed hope that the former justice minister would be granted a fair trial, even if, in his view, such fairness was not always extended to others during Malami’s time in office.
“I hope nevertheless that he gets the fair trial that he did not care to afford many when he had the chance and opportunity,” he said.
