Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, has claimed that the assets so far linked to Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, represent only a fraction of what was allegedly misappropriated.
Maina made the assertion while receiving the Rule of Law and Courage Award from the Garki branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja. He said authorities have only “scratched the surface” and that significantly more assets could be recovered from Malami.
According to Maina, the sums already identified—reportedly around ₦270 billion—do not amount to even a quarter of what he alleged was taken. He praised the current administration for what he described as a stronger commitment to accountability, transparency and the rule of law, contrasting it with the previous government.
Maina also recounted an incident in which he claimed that senior officials of the last administration, including the late President Muhammadu Buhari, former finance minister Kemi Adeosun, former national security adviser Babagana Monguno, and Malami, travelled to Abu Dhabi to persuade him to return to Nigeria. He said he declined their request, alleging that pressure was later mounted through his mother.
He further claimed that the interest in his return stemmed from information allegedly provided by former President Goodluck Jonathan regarding his role in the recovery of ₦1.63 trillion and 227 properties during Jonathan’s tenure—figures he said could be confirmed by former finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Malami is currently standing trial alongside his wife and son over allegations of money laundering. He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, and later granted bail by a federal high court in Abuja in the sum of ₦500 million.
