Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has fired back at former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, over past allegations of corruption, saying recent developments have exposed “who owns what.”

Speaking in an interview with DCL Hausa, the former governor dismissed the allegations against him as politically motivated, insisting that he served with integrity while in office.

Lamido said Malami had, at different times, accused him of being a thief, but maintained that the public can now judge the credibility of such claims based on what is known about both men.

“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 public office holders should be open to scrutiny, adding that transparency and accountability remain key pillars of good governance.

Lamido also urged Nigerians to be discerning in assessing allegations made in the political space, noting that such claims are often driven by vested interests.

While he did not provide specific details, his remarks come amid growing public conversations around wealth declaration and accountability among political elites.

Malami is currently being investigated by anti-graft agencies and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Last week, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to seize 57 properties allegedly linked to Malami.

The EFCC, in a motion on notice for final forfeiture of the property filed by its team of lawyers led by Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, and Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the respondents had failed to place sufficient evidence before the court to warrant the court to vacate the earlier interim order.

Some of the properties were listed as Rayhaan Bustan and Agro Allied Ltd, Mountain View Gold and Jewellery Ltd, Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd, Azbir Arena Nigeria Ltd, Meethaq Hotels Ltd as 5th to 9th respondents.

They also include Rayhaan University Ltd/GTE, Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, Zeenoor Hotels Ltd, Kawsar Ben of Brahim, Alhaji Muktaka Usman Junju, Real Edge Agro Services Ltd as 10th to 15th respondents respectively.

The application was brought pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, No. 14 of 2006.

Malami has consistently denied the allegations leveled against him, accusing the Federal Government of witch hunt. (Weekend Trust)

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