Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has rejected allegations that persons linked to him attempted to bribe or improperly influence the judge presiding over his ongoing trial.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami described a recent press release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as misleading and deliberately crafted to create the impression that there was an attempt to influence Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

The statement firmly denied that any member of Malami’s legal team, family, associates, or office approached or attempted to approach the presiding judge for any favour, describing such claims as false, reckless, and unfounded.

According to the statement, Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former chief law officer of the federation, holds the judiciary in high esteem and has complete confidence in the integrity of Justice Nwite. It stressed that there was neither justification nor intention to seek any form of improper engagement with the court.

Malami’s camp also clarified that the remarks attributed to Justice Nwite during the court proceedings were general cautionary statements routinely issued to all lawyers and litigants appearing before the court, and were not directed specifically at Malami or his co-defendants.

The statement accused the EFCC of “weaponising” a routine judicial warning and turning it into what it described as a sensational narrative aimed at damaging Malami’s reputation in the public domain.

“The EFCC’s conduct reinforces concerns that it is prosecuting this matter in the media rather than allowing it to be determined strictly on the basis of evidence and due process before a competent court,” the statement said.

It further noted that Malami and his co-defendants have submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the court, complied with all lawful orders, and remain confident that justice will prevail.

The statement urged the anti-graft agency to desist from issuing press releases capable of misleading the public or prejudicing ongoing proceedings, emphasising that allegations should be tested and proven in court, not in the media.

Malami Denies Bribery Claims, Accuses EFCC of Misleading the Public

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