Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, is facing renewed scrutiny as a group of Nigerian legislative lawyers has petitioned the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, demanding his investigation and prosecution over the controversial removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, and other alleged abuses of office.

The group, Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, ALDRAP, in a petition dated February 3, 2026, accused Malami of violating provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 1991, during his tenure under the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Onnoghen was removed from office ahead of the 2019 general elections and later convicted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal for assets declaration breaches. However, the Court of Appeal overturned the conviction in November 2024, a development that has revived debate over the legality of the process that led to his removal.

In the petition signed by its counsel, S.O. Abang, and addressed to the CCB Chairman in Abuja, ALDRAP alleged that Malami acted unlawfully and maliciously in the removal and prosecution of the former CJN. The group also accused him of malicious prosecution of Justice Nnamdi Dimigba of the Federal High Court.

The lawyers further alleged that Malami abused the prosecutorial powers granted to his office under Section 174 of the Constitution by using them for personal, political and financial interests rather than public good.

According to the petitioners, a Director of Investigation at the CCB is named as an eyewitness who can testify that Malami personally ordered the Bureau to halt prosecution of certain government officials after prima facie cases had been established against them. Conversely, he was also accused of fast-tracking investigations and prosecutions of other officials using the same agencies.

ALDRAP argued that the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal were at the time administratively under the supervision of the AGF, a position Malami allegedly exploited to influence outcomes of sensitive cases, including the proceedings that led to Onnoghen’s removal.

The petition also raised concerns over alleged gifts received by Malami and an NGO linked to him, Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiatives. The group claimed this violated the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution and relevant sections of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.

Specifically, the petition alleged that Malami approved the appointment of Alhaji Abubakar Usman Gotomo, identified as chairman of the NGO, as Chairman of the Governing Board of NAPTIP in 2019, describing the move as a conflict of interest.

It further referenced Malami’s 2022 admission that he received money and over 200 vehicles from friends and associates in support of his Kebbi State governorship ambition, insisting that such gifts contravene public service conduct rules.

The petitioners maintained that the alleged actions amount to misconduct and abuse of office, urging the CCB to commence a full investigation and initiate prosecution where necessary.

Malami is already facing separate prosecutions by the Federal Government over alleged money laundering and terrorism financing charges.