The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has filed a fresh petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urging the agency to investigate new allegations of corruption, financial mismanagement and abuse of office against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN). Punch Newspapers
The petition, dated 23 December 2025, was addressed to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede and signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju. The organisation said the new submission followed an earlier petition it filed on 11 September 2023.
The latest move comes as the EFCC files criminal charges against Mr Malami, who is expected to be arraigned in court in January.
According to HEDA, the fresh petition draws on “new audit reports, investigative findings and legislative probes” allegedly implicating the former minister during his tenure. HEDA said the action was taken in the public interest and in furtherance of Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive.
In separate developments this month, the EFCC has charged Mr Malami with multiple alleged offences, including money laundering and unlawful acquisition of assets, in a 16-count suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Premium Times Nigeria
Allegations cited in petition
HEDA’s petition highlights several issues it says warrant investigation:
An audit by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation that allegedly indicts the Ministry of Justice for mismanagement of ₦113.2 million in 2019, including inadequate documentation and failure to follow financial procedures.
Allegations that the ministry spent billions of naira without due process in 2017, including about ₦10.4 billion in judgment debt payments without proper oversight.
Claims that ₦32.5 million was paid as foreign travel allowances without mandatory approvals, and that 68 payment vouchers totaling ₦71.19 billion were unavailable for audit verification.
Reference to a Senate Public Accounts Committee probe into ₦2.2 billion drawn from Service Wide Votes between 2017 and 2021, allegedly lacking adequate accounting records.
Concern over ₦8 billion spent on prison decongestion initiatives reportedly lacking transparency and measurable outcomes.
Deep Offshore Judgment and revenue recovery
HEDA also accused Mr Malami of failing to enforce a 2018 Supreme Court judgment on the recovery of outstanding revenues under the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Act, which government consultants estimated could have yielded over $55 billion for the Federation Account.
“The deliberate failure to fully enforce this judgment deprived the federation of enormous revenues at a critical time,” said HEDA’s chairman.
The group urged the EFCC to expand its ongoing probe to include the new allegations, ensure full recovery of any misappropriated public funds, and prosecute anyone found culpable, “no matter how highly placed.”
Background: EFCC case against Malami
Abubakar Malami (SAN) served as Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023. After leaving office, he became the subject of an EFCC investigation into alleged financial misconduct, abuse of office and related offences.
Last month, the anti-graft agency invited Mr Malami for questioning, which he said he honoured and described as part of his commitment to transparency. TheCable
In late December, the Federal Capital Territory High Court dismissed his application for bail, ruling that his detention by the EFCC in connection with the ongoing investigation was lawful. Businessday NG
In the recent 16-count charge filed by the EFCC, Mr Malami, his son and an associate are accused of engaging in transactions intended to conceal the unlawful origin of billions of naira through corporate accounts and property acquisitions across Abuja, Kano and Kebbi, allegedly over the period from 2015 to 2025. Premium Times Nigeria
The case remains before the Federal High Court, and Mr Malami’s legal team has been active in challenging aspects of his detention and the conduct of the investigation.
