Omoyele Sowore, activist and ex-presidential candidate, on Monday scoffed at Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation, reminding him of the alleged role he played in his prosecution during the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
BACKGROUND
Malami was attorney-general and minister of justice from 2015 to 2023 under then-President Buhari.
He is currently facing a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering as preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
On April 15, the federal government amended charges filed against Malami and his son Abdulaziz, removing the allegation bordering on terrorism financing.
Sowore faced charges bordering on treason during Buhari’s stint as president.
The Sahara Reporters publisher was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on August 3, 2019, and spent 124 days in custody for calling for protests — facing charges of “treasonable felony, money laundering, and insulting the president”.
After his initial release, Sowore was rearrested in December 2019 and faced subsequent detention in early 2021.
SOWORE, MALAMI BANTER
The“chance encounter” between both men, on a humid April morning in the nation’s capital city, played out at a court lobby, with Sowore making sure to remind Malami of the recent past.
“When you were in Buhari’s government, you were saying Sowore committed treason. See as they are dealing with you now,” Sowore said as he pumped fists with Malami.
The activist then offered Malami a ‘Revolution Now’ signature cap — a gesture to say ‘we are now on the same side’.
“Let us give him a revolution cap. We want to recruit you now that you know that there is failure in the system,” Sowore said with barely concealed glee.
Malami, however, rejected the cap gift, saying “I have my own cap”.
But Sowore was far from done.
“The system is dealing with you now. When I was coming to court and told you that this thing would end in disgrace.. we are now on the same side. Your table has turned to our side,” he said in between fits of laughter.
But Malami wasted little time hitting back.
“I can never be down as far as Nigeria is concerned,” Malami interjected defiantly.
“The table has its own wheel.”
Sowore also asked Malami if he still attends meetings or events of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), to which his opposite number answered in the affirmative.
“I have been attending, even though I couldn’t attend the Ibadan summit,” Malami replied.
“Tables keep turning and I will keep sitting by the table.”
