Malami Breaks Silence on Alleged Attempt to Bribe Judge

Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has denied allegations that he or anyone connected to him attempted to bribe or improperly influence the presiding judge in his ongoing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Malami described the claims as “mischievous, false and deliberately misleading,” insisting that no such attempt was made by him, his family, or members of his legal team.

The denial followed a ruling delivered on Wednesday by the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, which granted bail to Malami, his wife, and his son. In the aftermath of the ruling, reports attributed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) suggested that the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, had raised concerns about attempts to compromise the court.

 

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami rejected the reports, saying they were wrongly framed to tarnish his reputation.

 

“We are compelled to respond and categorically state that no one from Abubakar Malami’s legal team, family, council, or office ever approached, attempted to approach, or contemplated approaching the Honourable Court or the presiding judge for any favour whatsoever,” the statement said.

 

“Any insinuation to the contrary is false, reckless, and deliberately misleading.”

Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former chief law officer of the federation, said he fully understands and respects the sanctity of the judiciary, adding that Justice Nwite’s reputation for integrity is widely acknowledged.

 

He explained that the comments attributed to the judge during court proceedings were not directed at him or any of the defendants but were general judicial warnings routinely issued to all counsel and litigants.

 

“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,” the statement read.

 

According to Malami, Justice Nwite is known for consistently warning parties against attempting to approach him outside formal judicial proceedings, describing this as part of the judge’s long-standing 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,” he added.

 

The former Attorney-General accused the EFCC of weaponising a routine judicial admonition and turning it into what he described as a sensational narrative aimed at damaging his public image.

 

“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,” the statement said.

 

He further alleged that the approach reinforced concerns that the anti-graft agency was engaging in a media trial rather than allowing the case to be determined strictly on the basis of evidence and due process.

 

Malami maintained that he and his co-defendants have submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the court and complied with all lawful orders issued so far.

 

“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.

 

 

He also urged the EFCC to desist from what he described as misleading the public through sensational press releases, stressing that allegations should be tested in court rather than in the media.

 

“The proper place to prove allegations is in the courtroom, not in the media. No bribe was offered, no judge was approached, and no attempt was made to compromise the court,” the statement added.

 

Earlier on Wednesday, Justice Nwite had cautioned lawyers and litigants involved in the case against attempting to approach him for any form of favour.

 

“I want to admonish and warn counsels 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.

 

Justice Nwite emphasised that lawyers should serve their clients through diligent legal representation and not through personal appeals or backdoor contacts.

 

The EFCC is prosecuting Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and their son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, over alleged money laundering involving billions of naira.