Moghalu, Odinkalu, Melaye say Malami’s EFCC arraignment, a lesson in transient power

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu; former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu; and former Senator Dino Melaye have highlighted the ongoing EFCC case against ex-Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, as a reminder for public officeholders in Nigeria.

 

In separate posts on X (formerly Twitter), the trio reflected on Malami’s arraignment on December 30, 2025, alongside his son and an associate on 16 counts of alleged money laundering involving billions of naira, reports TheNiche.

 

Moghalu said: “By now anyone taking public office in Nigeria should understand the transience of power, especially in a country where public office has progressively become uncoupled from competence, ideology, or values such as integrity. When people carry on in office like tomorrow will never arrive, the hunters will become the hunted.

 

“This is only a general statement and not a “conviction” of Mr. Malami. Let the courts decide his guilt or innocence, if they will, and if this does not become yet another alleged corruption case with no real conclusion. But it was a bit odd when the central bank increasingly became the “Central Bank of Agriculture” under the great central banking whiz kid Mr. Emefiele.”

 

Odinkalu said: “It was not long ago that @aamalamiSAN hounded Ibrahim Magu out of @officialEFCC, pretty much over control of recovered loot. Today, Magu is living modestly in untroubled retirement.

 

“Malami went on to acquire incredible loot of his own. Earlier this morning @officialEFCC arraigned him before @FederalHigh on multiple counts of looting & #MoneyLaundering, together with one of his wives & a son. All three will spend the #NewYear’s day in Kuje prison until 2 Jan when the court will take their bail application.

 

“Many men & women around power today will miss the significant lessons in Malami’s present predicament. I hope nevertheless that he gets the #FairTrial that he did not care to afford many when he had the chance & opportunity. May justice happen to him.”

 

Melaye said: “Former AGF, Abubakar Malami, along with his son, have appeared in court today. Reminded me of how I was appearing in different courts when Malami as AGF was prosecuting me over frivolous cases including taking over one of the police cases against me. Wish him well.”