Politics
Malami Cannot Wash Off His Legacy of Impunity with ADC Defection — Citizens Alliance
Malami Cannot Wash Off His Legacy of Impunity with ADC Defection — Citizens Alliance
A civic watchdog group, the Citizens Alliance for Rule of Law and Justice (CARoLJ), has condemned former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), over his recent criticism of the Bola Tinubu administration, describing his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as an act of “political desperation dressed in borrowed morality”.
In a statement issued in Kaduna on Sunday and signed by the group’s president, Aminu Jallo, CARoLJ said Malami’s remarks accusing the current government of neglecting security and plunging Nigerians into poverty are not only ironic but deeply insulting to the intelligence of Nigerians who lived through “his era of constitutional vandalism and legal impunity”.
“Abubakar Malami presided over one of the darkest periods in Nigeria’s legal history. To hear him now speak of justice, equity, and national renewal is to witness a man attempting to whitewash a legacy drenched in disobedience of court orders, protection of corrupt political elites, and flagrant misuse of the instruments of state power,” Jallo said.
Malami, who served as Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023, formally announced his defection to the ADC on Wednesday, stating that the party offers a coalition to “rescue Nigeria from collapse”. He decried insecurity and economic hardship, particularly in northern Nigeria, and accused the APC-led government of prioritising propaganda over governance.
But CARoLJ said Malami’s sudden concern for national suffering was “both cynical and dishonest,” pointing to a long record of policy failures, compromised prosecutions, and judicial sabotage while he was in office. The group questioned Malami’s moral standing to speak about national decline, given what it described as his direct role in dismantling the very institutions Nigerians now struggle to rebuild.
“Under Malami, the Federal Ministry of Justice became a political safe haven for the corrupt and a weapon against the vulnerable. He consistently ignored valid court rulings, frustrated landmark anti-corruption trials, and presided over a justice system that increasingly served the powerful at the expense of the people,” Jallo said.
The group cited the controversial 2017 reinstatement of Abdulrasheed Maina, the former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, as one of several cases where Malami allegedly enabled impunity. Despite being on trial for massive pension fraud, Maina was smuggled back into the civil service, reportedly with Malami’s knowledge and backing.
“Malami owes Nigerians an explanation for how a fugitive facing corruption charges was not only reinstated but promoted. That scandal alone should permanently disqualify him from any public office,” Jallo said.
CARoLJ also condemned the role Malami played in the 2022 presidential pardon granted to two convicted ex-governors — Joshua Dariye of Plateau State and Jolly Nyame of Taraba State — who were both jailed for stealing public funds. The controversial pardon was processed through Malami’s ministry and widely condemned by civil society groups.
“While honest Nigerians were imprisoned for petty theft, Malami helped secure clemency for men convicted of looting billions. He cannot now pretend to be a champion of the poor,” Jallo stated.
Beyond high-level corruption, the group alleged that Malami allowed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to become a political tool, selectively targeting opponents of the government while shielding allies and loyalists.
Under his supervision, the commission was, according to CARoLJ, “reduced to a shadow of itself — compromised, erratic, and often weaponised for vendettas”.
The group pointed to the irony of Malami’s selective justice, noting that while his ministry turned a blind eye to dubious transactions involving his allies and family, it aggressively pursued whistleblowers and activists.
“It was during Malami’s tenure that the EFCC lost its moral compass. Investigations were stalled, evidence disappeared, and known associates of the former minister were immune from scrutiny,” Jallo said.
“Malami failed to act on reports indicting senior government figures — and yet, he never hesitated to file charges against voices critical of his actions. He made a mockery of justice.”
CARoLJ further criticised the asset recovery regime under Malami’s watch, describing it as a “spectacle without substance” and alleging that billions in recovered funds were either mismanaged or mysteriously unaccounted for.
“The so-called asset recovery framework championed by Malami was a farce. Nigerians were shown figures but never the trail. There was no transparency. The process became an avenue for self-enrichment and patronage. His office operated more like a political vault than a justice ministry,” Jallo alleged.
According to the group, public suspicion around Malami’s stewardship of recovered assets only deepened when reports surfaced suggesting a sudden accumulation of unexplained wealth among his close associates — including members of his immediate family.
The group described as “morally offensive” the public displays of opulence by members of Malami’s family while the country grappled with deepening poverty.
“It is not lost on Nigerians that during Malami’s time in office, his children lived lavishly, displaying wealth that bore no proportion to any legitimate income. From luxury cars to extravagant weddings, the evidence was not just visible — it was flaunted,” Jallo said.
“One of Malami’s sons reportedly owns a multi-billion-naira event centre in Kebbi. At the height of public anger over poverty and inflation, the family flew in private jets for wedding ceremonies and flaunted exotic vehicles in Abuja. These are not just optics — they are symbols of unchecked abuse of office and unexplained wealth.
“One cannot preach reform while living off the ruins of abuse. Malami’s household became a symbol of reckless entitlement. His defection to ADC is not about rescuing Nigeria — it is about rescuing his ambitions.”
CARoLJ also recalled that several major corruption cases were either inexplicably withdrawn or bungled under Malami’s leadership, including the high-profile case involving former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and the controversial handling of oil contracts involving foreign interests, which led to legal defeats and settlements that cost Nigeria billions.
“Several landmark corruption cases collapsed under Malami’s watch — not for lack of evidence, but because of compromised prosecution and political interference. It was under Malami’s supervision that the government suffered repeated legal setbacks abroad, including in the P&ID arbitration case. His poor legal strategy and politicisation of sensitive files cost this country dearly,” Jallo said.
The group described Malami’s defection to the ADC as “a soft launch of his long-suspected ambition to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kebbi State,” and warned voters not to fall for what it called his “reinvention strategy”.
“Abubakar Malami’s defection to the ADC is not a patriotic move — it’s a calculated rebranding effort by a man desperate to escape the shadow of his own legacy. Nigerians must not be deceived. You cannot preside over years of constitutional sabotage, ignore court orders, protect looters, and then suddenly claim to be the face of national rescue. Malami is not joining the ADC to save Nigeria — he’s joining to save himself,” Jallo said.
Reacting directly to Malami’s call for Nigerians to “reclaim the nation” through the ADC, CARoLJ dismissed it as hypocritical.
“The Nigeria Malami claims to be rescuing is the same Nigeria he helped bleed for nearly a decade. He now talks about banditry and hardship in the North — but was silent when communities were razed in Zamfara, Kebbi, and Borno under Buhari, while he remained fixated on political consolidation,” Jallo noted.
“To the people of Kebbi: Malami heard your cries during years of banditry and silence was his only response. He cannot now claim to be your liberator.
“Nigerians must resist the ongoing attempt by disgraced political actors to hide behind new parties and forgotten slogans. True reform begins with accountability — not defection.”
Obasa Appointed to CPA African Executive Committee
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has been appointed as a Sub-National Representative to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African Executive Committee.
The announcement was formally conveyed through a letter from the CPA Africa Region, which was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, on Tuesday, March 10. The appointment confirms Speaker Obasa’s three-year tenure, spanning 2026 to 2029.
Lawmakers took turns to congratulate Speaker Obasa, praising his devotion to parliamentary service and his consistent efforts to strengthen legislative practice. They described his appointment as a recognition of his hard work and a reflection of Lagos State’s growing influence within the Commonwealth. Members noted that his achievements continue to bring pride not only to Lagos but to Nigeria as a whole.
In his remarks, Speaker Obasa expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support, urging them to remain steadfast in prioritizing the progress of the Assembly and to continue working collectively to advance the legislature. He further directed the Clerk to send a formal letter of appreciation to the CPA African Region for the honour bestowed upon him. “Let us always put the House of Assembly first and never relent in our efforts to move the legislature forward, ” Obasa concluded.
The CPA African Region plays a pivotal role in advancing the interests of African parliaments within the Commonwealth. It is widely recognized for promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, respect for human rights, democracy, and good governance across member nations.
TINUBU RENEWS TENURE OF THREE PERMANENT SECRETARIES
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the renewal of tenure for three Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service, in line with existing public service regulations.
The approval was disclosed in a statement issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, indicating that the renewed appointments will take effect from April 27, 2026.
The affected officials include Kachallom Shangti Daju, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; Beatrice Jedy‑Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Justice; and Mary Ada Ogbe, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Regional Development.
According to the statement, the renewal represents a second and final four-year tenure for the officials, in accordance with the provisions of Public Service Rule 020909, which allows Permanent Secretaries an initial four-year term with the possibility of a second term based on satisfactory performance.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson‑Jack, congratulated the Permanent Secretaries on their reappointment and urged them to see the renewed mandate as a call to greater dedication and excellence in service delivery.
She further encouraged them to deploy their experience and professional expertise toward strengthening governance and advancing national development.
The statement was signed by Eno Olotu, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and dated March 6, 2026.
Politics
Governor Dauda Lawal’s Prompt Action Against Insecurity in Zamfara State Yielding Positive Result’ – GDL Media Force Fires Back at Critics
‘Governor Dauda Lawal’s Prompt Action Against Insecurity in Zamfara State Yielding Positive Result’ – GDL Media Force Fires Back at Critics
The attention of GDL Media Force and other well-meaning supporters of the Dauda Lawal-led administration has been drawn to a recent statement syndicated on social media by influencers from a group calling itself the Zamfara Good Governance Forum, which ludicrously attempted to portray the Governor’s security efforts as a “total failure.” This characterisation is not only divorced from reality. Still, it represents a desperate attempt by political opponents to rewrite history and undermine a Governor whose growing influence and performance clearly terrify them. It should be on record that in the whole of the North West region, Governor Dauda Lawal has tackled insecurity head-on with verifiable evidence that even those in the opposition have commended him for his huge investment in equipment that will further give security and armed forces an edge over those fueling insecurity in the country.
Since his assumption as Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Lawal has vowed that as the Chief Security Officer of the state, as well as the chief rescuer, an unprecedented commitment to tackling the security challenges that have plagued Zamfara for over a decade is his top priority and he is engaging it with much gusto. Unlike previous administrations, that engaged in shadowy deals with non-state actors, this Governor has chosen the path of transparency, capacity building, and decisive action. He was one of the Governors who openly declared that His administration would not negotiate with bandit rather his administration with fight them to a standstill and ensure they are cleared out.
In a bid to address the issues of insecurity with a well-planned arrival plan, he procured heavy Security Assets that even the Federal Government commended, him for. The recently procured and unveiled 25 units of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and an 80-meter endurance surveillance drone capable of covering 50 kilometres and operating continuously for eight hours. This represents the single largest state-government investment in security hardware in the history of Zamfara State.
The Defence Minister, during the inauguration ceremony, praised what he described as a clear demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to protecting lives and property, making the striking projection that “if we continue like this in the second term, Zamfara will look like Dubai”. This is not praise from a partisan source it is professional acknowledgement from the highest level of Nigeria’s defence establishment that Governor Lawal is doing something right.
Beyond heavy military hardware, the Governor has operationalised the Community Protection Guards in accordance with the law, providing them with 60 brand-new, well-equipped Hilux operational vehicles and specialised motorcycles to ensure swift response and effective first-responder services in difficult terrains. This is complemented by the distribution of 150 Hilux vehicles to mainstream security agencies including the Nigeria Police, DSS, and NSCDC, plus 20 Toyota Buffalo vehicles (both armoured and soft-body).
Perhaps most significantly, Governor Lawal established the Zamfara State Security Trust Fund, which provides a predictable, structured framework for logistical support to security forces. This moves the state away from the era of fragmented, reactive responses to a professional, sustainable security architecture.
When recent attacks occurred including the unfortunate February 19 incident in Anka LGA, Governor Lawal did not go into hiding or issue condolence statements from his office in Gusau. He immediately convened and personally presided over an emergency security meeting with all heads of security agencies at the Government House in Gusau, tasking them to urgently review the current security framework and implement coordinated countermeasures.
The Governor charged security chiefs to maintain “heightened vigilance, strengthened intelligence, and immediate, coordinated countermeasures” to ensure that criminal elements do not gain further ground. He also commiserated with affected communities and assured them of his administration’s full support both logistical and institutional. This is not the behaviour of a detached leader. This is the conduct of a Governor who understands that his primary constitutional responsibility is the protection of lives and property.
The public needs to understand the pedigree of those behind these allegations. The so-called “Zamfara Good Governance Forum” has a well-documented history of partisan attacks against Governor Lawal. A simple review of their previous statements reveals a pattern they have consistently attacked the Governor while remaining conspicuously silent during the administrations that presided over the worst years of banditry in the state. Interestingly, these attacks often coincide with political manoeuvres by the immediate past governor, Bello Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence. The Zamfara State Government has previously accused Matawalle of using federal security apparatus to intimidate opposition figures in the state. The current criticism fits a familiar pattern, when you cannot defeat a Governor politically or at the ballot box, you attempt to undermine him through sponsored propaganda spreading sheer falsehood to ensure the public turns their back on a performing Governor who is rebuilding the rot the Matawale-led administration caused.
These same critics who now demand a “security roadmap” conveniently ignore that Governor Lawal inherited a state that was virtually a failed entity where farmers could not access their lands, where markets were paralysed, and where government had lost all credibility through failed negotiations and ransom payments to bandits.
Critics also conveniently ignore a fundamental reality Governor Lawal is the only opposition governor in the entire North-West geopolitical zone. Since taking office in 2023, his administration has received no federal intervention funds beyond statutory allocations no special palliatives, and no enhanced security support that flows to states with ruling-party governors. Yet despite this political isolation, he has managed to fund security without resorting to new borrowing, while monthly servicing N1.2 billion in inherited debts from the Bello Matawalle-led administration. This is governance under siege fiscally constrained, politically isolated, yet still delivering.
Governor Dauda Lawal has never claimed that the battle against banditry is easy or that success will come overnight. What he has demonstrated is sincerity of purpose, strategic vision, and relentless commitment. From the Security Trust Fund to community protection guards, from armoured personnel carriers to surveillance drones, these are not the actions of a leader who has failed. The growing influence of Governor Lawal across the North-West clearly frightens those who benefited from the old order of insecurity. When banditry thrives, politicians who negotiate with criminals remain relevant. But when peace is restored through genuine security architecture, such elements become obsolete.
Zamfara State is on the path to lasting peace. The detractors may continue their campaign of falsehood, but the facts on the ground speak louder than their sponsored propaganda. Governor Dauda Lawal remains focused, undeterred, and absolutely committed to restoring full normalcy to every inch of Zamfara State. The people of Zamfara see the progress. The Federal Government acknowledges the investment. And history will remember who truly fought for the state’s liberation.
Signed: GDL Media Force Support Group
March 4, 2026
Abuja, Nigeria
-
society6 months agoReligion: Africa’s Oldest Weapon of Enslavement and the Forgotten Truth
-
news3 months agoWHO REALLY OWNS MONIEPOINT? The $290 Million Deal That Sold Nigeria’s Top Fintech to Foreign Interests
-
society6 months ago“You Are Never Without Help” – Pastor Gebhardt Berndt Inspires Hope Through Empower Church (Video)
-
Business7 months agoGTCO increases GTBank’s Paid-Up Capital to ₦504 Billion