By Abdulfatai Abdulsalam
Abubakar Malami, SAN, Nigeria’s former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice under President Muhammadu Buhari, remains one of the most influential and controversial figures in the nation’s legal and political landscape.
Born on April 17, 1967, in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Malami’s rise from modest beginnings to the top of Nigeria’s justice system is a story of grit, ambition, and intellect.
A graduate of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, where he obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree in 1991, Malami was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1992 and later earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Maiduguri in 1994.
He built a successful legal career and was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2008.
Before joining public service, Malami served as a magistrate and legal practitioner in Kebbi State. His keen interest in governance and justice reform soon drew him into politics.
In 2007, he contested for the governorship of Kebbi State under the platform of the then Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) but lost in the primaries.
Undeterred, he remained active in national politics and became one of the key legal advisers during the merger that birthed the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.
Following the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, Malami was appointed Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice — a position he held for eight years. During his tenure, he was at the center of major legal reforms, anti-corruption drives, and international asset recovery efforts that defined much of the Buhari administration’s justice agenda.
Malami’s leadership in the Justice Ministry saw the prosecution of high-profile corruption cases and the repatriation of looted assets from abroad. He also championed legal reforms aimed at improving transparency in public administration.
However, his tenure was not without criticism, as some accused him of political interference and selective prosecution — allegations he consistently dismissed as unfounded and politically motivated.
Beyond his time in office, Malami has remained an influential political figure. In July 2025, he announced his resignation from the ruling APC and officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), aligning himself with a newly formed political coalition seeking to challenge the dominance of the major parties.
Malami said his defection was driven by a “deep concern over rising insecurity, economic hardship, and the erosion of governance ideals.”
His move into the ADC coalition has fueled renewed speculation about his long-standing political ambition in Kebbi State, with sources close to him hinting at a possible return to the governorship race ahead of future elections.
Outside the corridors of power, Malami is also known for his philanthropy. Through his foundation, he has sponsored educational programmes, women’s empowerment schemes, and water projects across communities in Kebbi State.
For many Nigerians, Abubakar Malami remains a study in contrasts — a brilliant legal mind and reform advocate whose years as Attorney-General left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s justice system, but also a politician whose decisions often sparked national debate. Whether in the courtroom or on the campaign trail, his influence on the country’s legal and political discourse continues to endure.
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