FORMER Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has responded strongly to past corruption allegations made against him by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, stating that recent developments have made it clear “who owns what.”
News Point Nigeria reports that Lamido said Malami had, on several occasions, accused him of being a thief, but insisted that Nigerians are now in a position to assess the credibility of those claims based on publicly known information about both men.
Speaking during an interview with DCL Hausa, the former governor dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, maintaining that he served with integrity throughout his time in office.
“When Abubakar Malami was Minister of Justice, he took me to court and accused me of being a thief. But today, it is clear that what he owns, I do not own. Do I have a hotel in Birnin Kudu or houses in Abuja?” Lamido asked.
He argued that individuals who hold public office must be open to scrutiny, stressing that transparency and accountability remain fundamental pillars of good governance.
Lamido also urged Nigerians to be discerning when evaluating allegations within the political space, noting that such claims are often influenced by vested interests.
Although he did not provide detailed specifics, his remarks come at a time of growing public debate over wealth declaration and accountability among political elites.
Meanwhile, Malami is currently under investigation by anti-graft agencies, including the Department of State Services.
Last week, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the seizure of 57 properties allegedly linked to the former Attorney-General.
In a motion on notice for final forfeiture filed by its legal team led by Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, and Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, the EFCC told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the respondents had failed to provide sufficient evidence to warrant the setting aside of an earlier interim forfeiture order.
Some of the properties listed include Rayhaan Bustan and Agro Allied Ltd, Mountain View Gold and Jewellery Ltd, Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd, Azbir Arena Nigeria Ltd, and Meethaq Hotels Ltd, identified as the 5th to 9th respondents.
Others named in the filing are Rayhaan University Ltd/GTE, Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, Zeenoor Hotels Ltd, Kawsar Ben of Brahim, Alhaji Muktaka Usman Junju, and Real Edge Agro Services Ltd, listed as the 10th to 15th respondents.
The application was filed pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, No. 14 of 2006.
Malami has, however, consistently denied all allegations against him, accusing the Federal Government of engaging in a witch-hunt.