‘The Hunters Will Become Hunted’ | ‘May Justice Happen to Him’ — Moghalu, Odinkalu Speak on Malami’s Trial

Kingsley Moghalu, former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Chidi Odinkalu, ex-chairman of the National Human Rights Commission; and Dino Melaye, a former senator, have weighed in on the ongoing prosecution of Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice.

In separate posts on X, the trio reacted to Malami’s Tuesday arraignment, alongside his son and wife, on 16 counts of alleged money laundering involving billions of naira.

Moghalu said the case underscores the fleeting nature of power in Nigeria, particularly as public office becomes increasingly detached from competence and integrity.

“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,” he wrote.

“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 recalled Malami’s tenure as justice minister, drawing a contrast between past events at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the present charges against the former AGF.

“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,” he wrote on X.

“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, who was prosecuted while Malami was the AGF, said the former minister’s arraignment brought back memories of his own court appearances at the time.

“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,” the former senator wrote.