Probe Malami’s N1bn Car Gifts To His Supporters – CSO Tells Tinubu

A civil society group, Human and Environmental Agenda, has called for a “thorough, immediate, and urgent investigation” into the alleged N1 billion automobile gifts given by the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to his followers in Kebbi State.

In a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practises and other Related Offences Commission, the anti-corruption group also urged that Malami be the subject of an investigation into a number of corruption and abuse of office claims made against him.

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The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, was also copied on HEDA’s four-page appeal, which was signed by the organization’s chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju.

It criticised anti-corruption organisations for not looking into such charges, which, according to the group’s statement, were supported by media reports and documentary evidence.

When Mr. Malami was serving as Minister of Justice, the organisation claimed that this lack of inquiry was “at the heart of breakdown of law and order and total disregard for the rule of law.”

One of the claims of corruption against Malami, according to HEDA, is the “distribution of 30 car gifts worth over N1,000,000,000 to his supporters in Kebbi State.”

The car gifts, according to the group, include “14 Mercedes Benz, eight Prado SUVs, four Toyota Hilux and four Lexus LX,” adding that “the beneficiaries were social media influencers, executive members of Mr Malami’s foundation and women support groups.”

The group also claims that there was “illegal auctioning of sea vessels holding crude oil seized by the Federal Government; violating Section 31(2) and (4) of the EFCC Act 2004 and assuming the role conferred upon the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as reported by The Cable Newspaper on July 13, 2020.”

The charges against the previous AGF, HEDA emphasised, were too serious to be disregarded or allowed to pass without further inquiry.

Calls to Dr. Umar Gwandu, the Special Assistant to Malami on Media, did not connect, and as of the time this story was filed, a text message sent to him had not received a response.