The Society of Public Interest Lawyers in Nigeria (SPI-LAW) has petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to take disciplinary action against former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. The group alleges Malami engaged in professional misconduct and infamous conduct during the Mambilla hydropower project dispute. The petition, filed on Monday, relies on findings by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitral tribunal in Paris. The tribunal recently dismissed a $2.35 billion claim brought against Nigeria by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.
The ICC tribunal sharply criticized Malami's role in the saga, concluding that he maintained an "inappropriate relationship" with Leno Adesanya, the chief promoter of Sunrise Power. The tribunal alleged that Malami participated in a "corrupt deal" connected to the settlement agreements at the heart of the arbitration. The report also alleged that Malami was effectively negotiating for Sunrise rather than the Federal Government. Malami altered the terms of a proposed $200 million settlement, exposing Nigeria to an additional $200 million in potential default payments.
Malami was accused of supplying former President Muhammadu Buhari with incorrect financial information and repeatedly seeking presidential approval even after Buhari explicitly refused. The disputed settlement was originally signed in January 2020 by Malami and the then Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman. Reacting to the final award, Malami strongly denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that his actions were entirely in Nigeria's best interest and arguing that no concrete evidence linked him to any direct financial benefit.
SPI-LAW's president, John Aikpokpo-Martins, and vice-president, Olukunle Edun, deposed the affidavits attached to the petition. They argued that the grave allegations leveled by an international tribunal have severely threatened public confidence in the Nigerian legal profession. The group warned that failing to hold Malami accountable would send a catastrophic message, suggesting that occupying high office confers immunity from the ethical standards of the Bar.
The Society of Public Interest Lawyers in Nigeria urged the LPDC to certify that Malami has a case to answer and to invite him to officially defend the allegations. The group emphasized that the office of Attorney-General of the Federation is the highest legal office in the land, and its occupant must embody absolute integrity, loyalty to the Federation, and fidelity to the rule of law.
The petition against Malami was filed on September 26, 2026, and it relies on the damning findings of the ICC arbitral tribunal. The LPDC will review the petition and determine whether Malami has a case to answer. If the LPDC finds that Malami has a case to answer, he will be invited to defend the allegations.
The outcome of the petition will be closely watched by the legal community and the public. The allegations against Malami are serious, and if proven, could lead to severe consequences for the former Attorney-General. The LPDC's decision will be crucial in determining whether Malami will face disciplinary action for his alleged misconduct.
Key points
- The Society of Public Interest Lawyers in Nigeria has petitioned the LPDC to take disciplinary action against Abubakar Malami.
- The ICC tribunal alleged that Malami participated in a "corrupt deal" connected to the settlement agreements at the heart of the arbitration.
- The LPDC will review the petition and determine whether Malami has a case to answer.
