The immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has denied claims that anyone connected to him attempted to bribe or improperly influence the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, in his ongoing trial.
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He described the allegation as mischievous, false, and deliberately misleading.
Malami’s reaction followed a ruling on Wednesday by the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, which granted bail to him, his wife, and son.
In the aftermath of the ruling, he stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) circulated reports suggesting that Justice Nwite had raised concerns about attempts to compromise the court, claims which Malami says were wrongly framed to tarnish his reputation.
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami dismissed the allegation, insisting that neither he nor anyone acting on his behalf approached the judge or contemplated doing so.
The statement read, “We are compelled to respond and categorically state that no one from Abubakar Malami’s legal team, family, counsel, or office ever approached, attempted to approach, or contemplated approaching the Honourable Court or the presiding judge for any favour whatsoever.
“Any insinuation to the contrary is false, reckless, and deliberately misleading.”
The former AGF stressed that as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former chief law officer of the federation, he fully understands and respects the sanctity of the judiciary, adding that Justice Nwite’s reputation for integrity and incorruptibility is well known.
According to Malami, the comments attributed to Justice Nwite during the proceedings were not directed at him or any of the defendants but were a routine judicial warning issued to all counsel and litigants appearing before the court.
He said, “For clarity, the statement attributed to Justice Nwite during proceedings at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, was a general caution routinely issued by the judge to all counsel and litigants appearing before him.
“Justice Nwite is known for consistently warning parties in his court against attempting to approach him outside judicial proceedings, as part of his long-standing judicial culture and commitment to probity. This warning was not specific to Abubakar Malami or any of the defendants in this case, and any attempt to single him out is dishonest.”
Malami accused the EFCC of weaponising a standard judicial warning and spinning it into a sensational narrative aimed at damaging his public image, arguing that the anti-graft agency is more interested in a media trial than due judicial process.
“It is therefore disturbing that the EFCC chose to weaponise a routine judicial admonition and spin it into a sensational narrative aimed at tarnishing Malami’s image in the court of public opinion. This approach further reinforces our long-held position that the EFCC is persisting in a media trial rather than allowing the case to be determined strictly on the basis of evidence and due process before the court.”
He maintained that he and his co-defendants have submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the court, complied with all lawful orders, and remain confident that the judicial process will vindicate them.
“We wish to emphasise that Malami and his co-defendants have submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the court, have complied with all lawful orders made so far, and remain confident that the judicial process will ultimately vindicate them,” he said.
Malami also urged the EFCC to stop misleading the public and prejudicing ongoing proceedings through what he described as sensational press releases.
“The proper place to prove allegations is in the courtroom, not in the media,” he said.
Reiterating his position, Malami added: “No bribe was offered, no judge was approached, and no attempt was made to compromise the court. Any suggestion otherwise exists only in the imagination of those bent on damaging Malami’s reputation at all costs.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Justice Nwite issued a warning to lawyers and litigants involved in the ongoing trial of Malami, cautioning them against attempting to approach him for any form of favour.
The judge gave the warning during proceedings in the criminal case instituted by the EFCC against Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and their son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, over alleged money laundering running into billions of naira.
Justice Nwite stressed that his perceived familiarity with members of the Bar should not be misconstrued as an opportunity for undue influence.
“I want to admonish and warn counsel and litigants that they should know the type of court they are appearing before. All judges are not the same. Irrespective of my familiarity with you, when I am dealing with any case, do not approach me,” the judge said.
According to him, the only legitimate way lawyers could serve their clients was through diligent legal representation, not backdoor contacts or personal appeals.
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