Malami And Family Unlimited: The Intersection of Power, Politics, and the Weight of Accountability

By Aiyenale Fred

In the high-stakes theater of Nigerian politics, few figures have commanded as much influence or attracted as much scrutiny as the former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN. Under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Malami was often viewed as the “ultimate gatekeeper,” a man whose legal interpretations and executive influence touched every corner of the federal government.

However, as the dust settles on the Buhari era, the narrative has shifted from the halls of justice to the court of public opinion and the harsh reality of investigative detention.

THE “UNLIMITED” REACH: A FAMILY AFFAIR

The title “Malami and Family Unlimited” has become a shorthand for critics describing what investigators allege is an expansive web of influence and illicit wealth. In a series of shocking developments in late 2025 and early 2026, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pulled back the curtain on what they describe as a “family business” of money laundering.

THE CONDUIT ALLEGATIONS: Federal prosecutors have charged Malami alongside one of his wives, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami. They are accused of using corporate entities like Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited and Meethaq Hotels Limited to funnel billions of naira.

THE STUPENDOUS ASSETS: The EFCC has reportedly traced 41 to 57 properties valued at a staggering N212.8 billion across Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano. These include luxury duplexes in Maitama and high-end commercial plazas; wealth critics argue is “unexplained” for a career public servant.

THE N9 BILLION CHARGE: The trio currently faces a 16-count charge involving the alleged laundering of approximately N8.7 billion to N9 billion.

THE BUHARI WARNING: A LOOPING SHADOW

The most poignant element of this saga is the prophetic warning issued by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. During his tenure, Buhari frequently signaled to his cabinet that the “shield” of office was temporary.

“I told everyone to hold firmly to the trust given to them, because one day, even after I leave office, their actions may be exposed… let no one call me to defend them. They should go and defend their own actions.” -Former President Muhammadu Buhari

For Malami; a man who enjoyed the President’s unwavering confidence for eight years, this warning has matured from a suggestion into a cold reality. The “sacred cow” status he seemingly enjoyed in office has vanished, replaced by the iron bars of the Kuje Correctional Centre, where he was recently remanded before securing a ?500 million bail.

The Quest for Accountability
The transition from “Minister” to “Citizen” has brought a level of heat rarely seen in Nigerian political history. Accountability in this context is serving as a litmus test for the current administration and the judicial system.

The recent arrest of Malami by the DSS immediately following his release from prison custody suggests that the legal web is only growing tighter.

For the average Nigerian, the Malami case represents a crucial question: Can the law truly reach those who once held the keys to the justice system?

CONCLUSION: A LEGACY ON TRIAL

Abubakar Malami remains a polarizing figure. To his supporters, he navigated complex legal waters to protect the state; to his critics, he represents the height of executive overreach and the blurring of lines between family interests and national duty.

As the trial commences, the “Unlimited” nature of his influence is being tested by the very limited nature of political time. The Buhari warning has been vindicated: the era of consequences has arrived.

Aiyenale Fred writes from Abuja.