Profile
Abubakar Malami, SAN, is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who has been serving as the Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation since 2015.
Personal Life
Born on 17 April, 1967 in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State to Late Hon. Khadi Malami Nasarawa and Halima Malami. He is a Fulani Muslim.
Education
| School | Qualification | Year |
| University of Maiduguri, Borno State | Master’s Degree in Public Administration | 1994 |
| Nigerian Law School, Lagos State | B.L (Bachelor of Laws) | 1992 |
| Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto State | LL.B | 1987-1991 |
| College of Arts and Arabic Studies | Secondary School Certificate | |
| Nasarawa Primary School, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State | First School Leaving Certificate | 1973-1979 |
Work History
| Place | Position | Date |
| Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) | National Legal Adviser | |
| Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto State | Law Teacher | |
| APC Constitution Sub-committee | Member | 2014 |
| APC Kano State Congress Appeals Committee | Chairman | 2014 |
| Kebbi State Committee on Federal Government’s National Conference | Member | 2013 |
| APC Electoral Committee for Anambra State Gubernatorial Election | Member | 2013 |
| National Convention and Congress Committee | Member | 2013 |
| Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Presidential Campaign Organization | Chairman, Legal Team | 2011 |
| Kano State Local Government Election Tribunal | Member | 2004 |
| Election Petition | Member, PDP Legal Team | 2003 |
| Muslim Lawyers Forum of Nigeria | National Publicity Secretary | 2002-2004 |
| Kebbi State Judiciary | Magistrate grade II | 1995-1996 |
Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State
Kebbi State
17 April, 1967
Kebbi State
All Progressives Congress
Islam
Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (since 2015)
Political History
Malami was one of the members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Meger Committee that negotiated the formation of All Progressives Congress together with the now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
He was actively involved in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013, being the resource person for the Manifesto Drafting Sub-Committee of Inter Joint Party Merger Committees.
In 2014, Malami vied for the governorship ticket of the APC in Kebbi State but stepped down during the party primaries in favour of Atiku Bagudu.
In November 2015, Abubakar was appointed as Minister for Justice and Attorney-General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. At just 48 years old, he was the youngest minister in President Muhammadu Buhari’s first-term cabinet. Hee was re-appointed into this office in 2019.
Leadership Style/Philosophy
Awards & Honours
- 2021 Award for Most Outstanding Icon of Unity and Peaceful Co-existence in Nigeria by Ndi Igbo Worldwide
- 2020 Best Minister Award by Face of Democracy Nigeria Project
- 2020 Peace Achievers International Awards of Excellence, Leadership Prowess: Justice and Equity by Achievers International
- 2019 National Role Model & Mentor General of Nigeria Youths by Eagle’s Focus Magazine
- 2008 Senior Advocate of Nigeria
Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law by Nasarawa State University, Keffi
Project
- He co-founded the Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative (KJDI), an NGO that focuses on the advancement of human society through fostering access to justice for citizens, and investing in human capital. Through it, he:
- Facilitated the securing and distribution of ₦3.2 billion credits facilities loan to nearly 5,900 people in 21 local government areas of Kebbi State for poverty alleviation and youths empowerment.
- Donated ₦16 million to flood victims in Kebbi and a 110 KVA generator to Equity FM radio station in Birnin Kebbi
- Provided 236 boreholes to rural communities in Kebbi
- Donated ₦10million cash to the District Head of Kamba, Sarkin Shikon Kamba, to distribute it to the victims of a fire incident which affected some parts of the Kamba market.
- Distribution of several food items to Kebbi State indigenes during Ramadan celebration
- Reached an agreement with the United States and the Island of Jersey to repatriate over $300 million of Nigerian public funds that had been stolen and stored abroad by the former military head of state Sani Abacha
- Won a seven-year-long legal battle with Interocean Oil over a contract dispute, which relieved the Nigerian government of $1.5 billion in liability payments
Criticism/Controversy
- Malami has been accused of the alleged diversion of recovered funds. In August 2021, the Attorney-General of all 36 states sued Malami, accusing him of failure to allocate recovered funds to the states
- Various Sahara Reporters investigations have alleged that Malami and his family have amassed “unexplained wealth” during Malami’s service as Attorney-General. The reports outlined how Malami himself owns a hotel in Sokoto, four houses in Abuja, a school in Birnin Kebbi, and a hotel under construction in Abuja, amongst others. In response, Malami wrote to President Buhari, stating that his wealth had come from business and investments prior to his appointment
- Malami has been accused of using his power to stop cases against allies. As public outcry grew over the interference, Malami defended himself by saying if he wanted to stop corruption investigations, he would have dismissed all Economic and Financial Crimes Commission corruption cases
