Malami: Nigeria’s predicament that Kebbi must avoid

There is an African warning, perhaps even a prayer, which says: may what happened before never happen again. For Kebbi State this prayer has suddenly become very urgent against what appears to be a determined attempt to repeat in our State what has been done to Nigeria.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, achieved the final seizure of 48 properties worth over ₦220 billion linked to a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, who is also seeking to become the next governor of Kebbi State. Among the confiscated assets are Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, including its permanent headquarters, temporary headquarters, third headquarters, vice-chancellor’s residence and Rayhaan Radio, all located along Sani Abacha Bypass Road, Birnin Kebbi.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, granted the final confiscation after finding that the commission had established that the properties were reasonably suspected of being proceeds of illegal activities and had not been acquired from lawful sources of income.

The list is staggering: a luxury duplex in Maitama; an imposing three-storey building in Area 11, Garki; luxury hotels in Jabi and Maitama; multiple properties in Asokoro; commercial plazas in Abuja and Kano; hundreds of hectares of land along the Birnin Kebbi–Jega road; residential houses, petrol stations, warehouses, commercial complexes, factories, hotels, schools, mosques, supermarkets, staff quarters, printing presses, gardens and numerous other high value assets spread across Abuja, Kano and Kebbi.

Also on the confiscation list are the Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, the Azbir Arena and its numerous businesses, the Al-Afiya Energy tank garage, the Rayhaan Security House, the Amasdul oil and gas filling station, the Zeennoor Hotel with its 131 rooms, the Zeennoor Mosque and many other properties.

Whether one supports or opposes Malami politically, no honest observer can pretend that this is a normal list of goods. It paints a picture of an empire whose ownership and origins became the subject of judicial scrutiny, culminating in a final confiscation order.

Before anyone wonders if he was given a fair hearing, the answer is yes. Following the interim confiscation order granted earlier by Justice Emeka Nwite, Malami, members of his family and several associates approached the court. They contested the jurisdiction of the court, opposed the provisional confiscation order, requested its annulment and presented their arguments.

But, considering these arguments, the court still proceeded to grant the definitive forfeiture. This sequence of events is important because it demonstrates that this was not a verdict reached in the court of public opinion. There was a court process, legal representation, arguments from both sides and a final decision.

I have deliberately taken my time to list many of these properties and legal battle not because I enjoy counting another man’s assets or labors, but because facts must be brutal and should never pander to emotion. I wanted to make sure no one got the impression that the properties were rumors on social media. The court proceedings were not gossip, nor was the legal challenge imaginary. These are all matters of public record.

This is also why I find it difficult to accept attempts to reduce everything to a narrative of political persecution. Every defendant has the right to defend himself, but the public equally has the right to review judicial findings and ask difficult questions before surrendering another public office.

Now, I think we need to ask ourselves what kind of greed drives a man to associate himself with goods of this magnitude while millions of Nigerians struggle daily to feed themselves? What kind of betrayal of public trust could be more painful than allegations of this magnitude involving someone who once held the highest legal office in the land?

And what audacity allows a man with this level of background to look straight into the eyes of the people of Kebbi and ask them to entrust him with even greater responsibility?

Public offices are supposed to be a sacred office. The Attorney General of the federation is expected to defend the constitution, uphold justice and protect the public interest. This position should inspire trust, represent integrity and symbolize responsibility.

Therefore, when someone who has held such a sacred office becomes embroiled in proceedings culminating in the confiscation of assets valued at over ₦220 billion, it inevitably raises serious questions about judgment, character and suitability for future leadership. This conversation transcends politics to achieve trust and cherished African values. More importantly, it is about the future of Kebbi State.

The recent video of groups of youths welcoming Malami with the chant “barawo bai mulki” now takes on a completely different meaning. Whether those songs reflected genuine public sentiment or mere political theater is almost irrelevant. The bigger question is whether a man whose assets have become the subject of confiscation proceedings of this magnitude should be entrusted with the finances of Kebbi state. This is not simply a political issue; it is a matter of prudence, judgment and self-preservation.

This is exactly why I believe the people of Kebbi need to think long and hard before making their choice. Leadership is not measured by eloquent speeches, expensive campaign posters or the ability to mobilize crowds. It is not measured by the ability to invoke religion every time responsibility knocks at the door. Leadership begins and ends with character. Without character, every electoral promise becomes suspect. Without integrity, every budget becomes vulnerable. Without accountability, public office gradually degenerates into a private enterprise designed to enrich a privileged few at the expense of the many.

Just imagining someone facing this level of public scrutiny occupying Government House should make every taxpayer nervous. The risks are almost unthinkable to bear. With such an individual, governance could gradually give way to cronyism. Public resources could become family inheritance. Cronyism could replace expertise in public appointments. Development projects could exist only on paper while funds would disappear into private hands.

Healthcare, education, agriculture, security and infrastructure, all sectors that require disciplined financial management, could become victims of inadequate leadership. One cannot help but wonder whether Kebbi would have witnessed the infrastructure expansion, investment in education and other development projects currently associated with Governor Nasir Idris if public resources had been stolen in the way the Attorney General’s office has been treated by this individual.

In my opinion, the EFCC has done the people of Kebbi an important public service by bringing these matters through the judicial process. Regardless of one’s political affiliation, the proceedings placed court-tested facts before Nigerians.

Our people should pay close attention because history has a cruel habit of repeating itself every time society ignores warnings. Let us remember that elections are not just about personalities; they concern the type of future that a people voluntarily chooses for itself.

Kebbi has earned a reputation over the years as a state built on faith, honor and conservative values. These values ​​should count for something at the polls. Our employees should not reward disputes with promotions or elevate unresolved ethical issues to executive authority.

After all, if issues of this magnitude arose while serving the entire federation, why would Kebbi assume the outcome would be any different? Why should we bet on the future of an entire state when the disturbing signs are before us?

The safest bridge is the one that has already proven that it can support a weight. The most dangerous bridge is the one with visible cracks that everyone pretends not to see until it collapses beneath them. The people of Kebbi still have a choice. They can dismiss these warnings, convince themselves that it doesn’t matter and hope for the best, or heed that African prayer that has echoed through generations: May what happened before never happen again.

For me the choice is clear: Kebbi must never become yet another cautionary tale. Kebbi must not become like Nigeria, to be repeatedly raped by people who care nothing whether their thefts affect their lives and livelihoods or not.

Kera, a journalist, writes from Abuja.