Abuja Court drama: Sowore jabs ex-AGF Malami on treason case

Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore on Monday publicly confronted former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, in Abuja, using a chance court encounter to revisit his past arrest and prosecution under the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Malami, who served as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023, is currently facing a 16-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on alleged money laundering.

Earlier, on April 15, the Federal Government amended the charges against him and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, removing allegations related to terrorism financing.

Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, was himself arrested in August 2019 by the Department of State Services (DSS) after calling for a protest tagged “Revolution Now.”

He was held for 124 days on charges including treasonable felony, money laundering, and insulting the president. He was later rearrested in December 2019 and again faced detention in early 2021.

The encounter between both men reportedly occurred at a court premises in Abuja, where Sowore used the opportunity to remind Malami of his role during his prosecution years ago.

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“When you were in Buhari’s government, you were saying Sowore committed treason. See as they are dealing with you now,” Sowore said, engaging Malami in a brief but tense exchange.

In a symbolic gesture, Sowore offered Malami a “Revolution Now” cap, suggesting a shift in alignment.

“Let us give him a revolution cap. We want to recruit you now that you know that there is failure in the system,” he added.

Malami, however, declined the gesture, responding: “I have my own cap.”

Sowore continued his remarks, saying the situation reflected irony in Nigeria’s justice system.

“The system is dealing with you now. When I was coming to court and told you this would end in disgrace… we are now on the same side. Your table has turned to our side,” he said.

Malami responded firmly, rejecting any implication of downfall.

“I can never be down as far as Nigeria is concerned. The table has its own wheel,” he said.

The exchange continued briefly, with Sowore questioning Malami’s political engagements, including alleged participation in African Democratic Congress (ADC) activities. Malami confirmed his involvement but noted he was absent from a recent summit in Ibadan.

“I have been attending, even though I couldn’t attend the Ibadan summit,” he said.

He concluded: “Tables keep turning and I will keep sitting by the table.”