Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has defended his stewardship.
Following his release from prison custody, the ex-minister, who is facing a 16-count charge of alleged money laundering alongside his wife, Bashir Asabe, and son, Abdulaziz, maintained that he intends to vigorously defend himself against the allegations.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
T
he former minister was rearrested on January 19 by operatives of the Department of State Services shortly after his initial release from Kuje Prison.
On January 21, he accused the DSS of denying him access to his family and legal team.
On February 27, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted bail to Malami and his son in the sum of N200 million each over alleged terrorism-related offences.
He has since fulfilled the bail conditions and regained his freedom.
Malami, on a live programme, said despite what he went through, he sees the experience as “God’s will” and pledged to vigorously defend himself against the allegations.
He also alleged violations of his rights during the investigation, claiming that security agencies searched his homes and business premises without notifying him.
Despite the ordeal, Malami said he remains resolute, stating: “I have no regrets regarding what I did during my time as a minister.”
You were brazenly lawless, ruthlessly unprofessional, HURIWA tells Malami
REACTING, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has told the ex-minister that his eight years under the late Muhammadu Buhari’s administration were a waste, arguing that he was such a bad chief law officer, who tolerated invasions of the private houses of judges, justices and the illegal removal of the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, for political consideration.
Besides, HURIWA stated that Buhari’s actions, backed by Malami, such as the illegal abduction of Nnamdi Kanu from Nairobi, Kenya, “showcased his time in office as the lowest in terms of respect for the fundamental human and civil rights of citizens in clear violations of several international human rights laws and Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999 (as amended).”
The group’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said: “HURIWA is shocked that the man who was the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice throughout the lawless government of General Muhammadu Buhari is saying that he has no regrets over all these infractions and violations of human rights of citizens with his backing. Malami has tasted the meal he prepared for Nnamdi Kanu. He should thank God that President Tinubu is lenient with him despite the atrocities of violations of human rights of citizens that happened right under his nose.”
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