AGF Malami denies sales of FG property, sets up probe panel

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has denied officially authorising the sale of recovered properties.

Reports had emerged which allegedly claims that a syndicate allegedly from the Ministry is selling Federal Government’s recovered properties without the knowledge of Malami.

Malami in a statement on Tuesday denied approving, being aware or ordering any sale of recovered properties.

This was made known in the statement released by the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu.

The statement read: “The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN has set up of a 5-member Committee to investigate and verify the authenticity of the media report which allegedly claims that syndicate from the Federal Ministry of Justice sells Federal Government’s recovered properties without the knowledge of the office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

“The composition of the members of the committee was made known in a circular signed by the Solicitor General of the Federation U. E. Mohammed, ESQ dated 29th November 2021.

“The circular was titled “The Constitution of a Committee to investigate the alleged sale of Federal Government of Nigeria’s Property by syndicate in the Ministry”.

‘“A committee is hereby constituted to investigate the allegation with the view to unravelling the veracity or otherwise of the Publication” the circular reads in part.

“The Committee Chaired by the Director Public Prosecution of the Federation which was inaugurated on Tuesday was saddled with the responsibility and task of unveiling the factuality and accuracy of the publication and recommends ways of handling the matter in accordance with the provisions of the extant laws.”

Malami stated that the committee was expected to complete the assignment within a period of one week and submit the report of their investigation to the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice.

According to the AGF, members of the general public especially those who interacted with the alleged syndicate group or have information or evidence should provide information that could be helpful to committee.

“Individuals, groups, companies, institutions or organizations that claimed to have associated with the alleged syndicate from the Federal Ministry of Justice in relation to purchase of houses, landed property, vehicles, vessels, plants and machineries belonging to the Federal Government are encouraged to come out with any information, evidence or document regarding the alleged sales,” he said.