Abubakar Malami is a Nigerian lawyer, politician, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who served as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation from 2015 to 2023. He is widely regarded as one of the key figures in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, who appointed him twice to the cabinet. In this blog post, we will take a look at his biography, education, career, achievements, and controversies.
Early Life and Education
Abubakar Malami was born on 17 April 1967 in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State, Northern Nigeria. He is a Fulani Muslim and the son of late Hon. Khadi Malami Nasarawa and Halima Malami. He began his primary education at Nassarawa Primary School, Birnin Kebbi, and then proceeded to the College of Arts and Arabic Studies for his secondary education.
He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, in 1991 and was called to the bar in 1992. He later earned his Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Maiduguri in 1994.
Legal and Political Career
Abubakar Malami started his legal career as a state counsel and magistrate in Kebbi State. He also established his own law firm, A. A. Malami and Co., where he handled various civil and criminal cases. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2008, less than 17 years after he was called to the bar. He has also served as a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Legal Team, Election Petition in 2003, and as a member of the Kano State LG Election Tribunal in 2004.
Malami joined politics as a member of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), where he served as the National Legal Adviser. He was also actively involved in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013 as the resource person to the Manifesto Drafting Sub-Committee of Inter Joint Party Merger Committees. He contested for the governorship ticket of the APC in Kebbi State in 2014, but stepped down in favour of Atiku Bugudu.
On 11 November 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Malami as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, making him the youngest minister in the cabinet. He was reappointed to the same position on 21 August 2019 for a second term.
Achievements and Controversies
As the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Malami was responsible for overseeing the legal affairs of the country, including the prosecution of corruption cases, the recovery of looted funds, the reform of the judiciary, and the protection of human rights. Some of his notable achievements include:
Negotiating the repatriation of over $300 million of Nigerian public funds that had been stolen and stored abroad by former military head of state Sani Abacha from the United States and Jersey in 2020. He stated that the federal government intends to use the recovered funds to finance infrastructure projects such as the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Abuja-Kano highway, and Second Niger Bridge.
Initiating the Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) case, where he challenged the validity of a $9.6 billion arbitration award against Nigeria by a British firm over a failed gas project. He successfully secured a stay of execution and an order for a fresh trial in a UK court in 2020.
Implementing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) of 2015, which aimed to speed up the dispensation of justice, decongest the prisons, and protect the rights of suspects and victims. He also introduced the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) in 2017, which outlined the framework for combating corruption in Nigeria.
Establishing the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Governing Council in 2020, which is mandated to promote and protect human rights in Nigeria. He also facilitated the payment of compensation to victims of human rights violations, such as the EndSARS protesters and the Apo six.
However, Malami also faced several controversies and criticisms during his tenure as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation. Some of them include:
Clashing with the former Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, over the handling of corruption cases and the management of recovered assets. He accused Magu of insubordination, diversion of funds, and abuse of office, and recommended his removal to the President in 2020. Magu was subsequently suspended and investigated by a presidential panel.
Allegedly influencing the reinstatement of Abdulrasheed Maina, a former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), who was wanted for alleged fraud and money laundering. He denied any involvement in the matter and claimed that he acted in the public interest.
Facing allegations of corruption and abuse of power by various groups and individuals, such as the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), and the former Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay. He was accused of owning properties worth billions of naira, interfering in high-profile cases, and undermining the anti-corruption fight. He dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
Abubakar Malami Net Worth
Abubakar Malami’s net worth is estimated to be around $18 million1 or $1-5 million. However, these figures are not verified and may not reflect his actual income or assets. Malami has been accused of owning several properties and cars that are beyond his official earnings as the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation .
He has denied these allegations and claimed that he inherited most of his wealth from his late father and that he was a successful lawyer and businessman before joining politics.
Abubakar Malami Cars and Houses
Abubakar Malami is a Nigerian politician and lawyer who served as the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation from 2015 to 2023. He is also the founder of Khadimiyya Foundation, a non-governmental organization that provides humanitarian services in Kebbi State
According to some reports, Malami owns several properties and assets in Nigeria, including a hotel in Sokoto, four houses in Abuja, a school in Birnin Kebbi, and a hotel under construction in Abuja. He also allegedly bought two houses for his sons in Birnin Kebbi and an event centre called Azbir Arena for one of his sons
However, Malami has denied any wrongdoing or corruption in acquiring his wealth, claiming that he inherited most of his properties from his late father and that he has been a successful lawyer and businessman before joining politics. He also said that the cars given to some of his associates in Kebbi were donations from his friends and well-wishers
Conclusion
Abubakar Malami is a prominent Nigerian lawyer and politician who served as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation from 2015 to 2023. He played a key role in the legal and judicial reforms of the Buhari administration, as well as the recovery of looted funds and the prosecution of corruption cases.
He also faced several challenges and controversies during his tenure, which tarnished his reputation and credibility. He is currently a member of the APC and a potential candidate for the 2023 presidential election.
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