Talk about a serious case of forgetting that power is temporary. Kingsley Moghalu, a former deputy governor of Nigeria's Central Bank, recently made some sharp comments about the situation surrounding Abubakar Malami, the country's ex-Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Malami, alongside his son Abubakar Abdulaziz, was just brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja on sixteen counts related to money laundering, with all parties pleading not guilty. Moghalu pointed to this case as a clear lesson for anyone in Nigerian public office about the fleeting nature of authority. He suggested that holding a government position there has become disconnected from actual skill, any guiding beliefs, or basic principles like honesty. Moghalu posted these thoughts in reaction to reports connecting Malami's wealth to recovered funds from the Sani Abacha regime, Paris Club refunds, and agricultural loans from the central bank.
The former central bank official stated that when people in office act as if they are untouchable, the roles often reverse, and they become the targets. He was careful to clarify this as a general observation and not a direct judgment of Malami's guilt, emphasizing that the courts must decide that outcome. Moghalu expressed skepticism, however, about whether this case would reach a definitive conclusion, hinting at a pattern of corruption allegations that just fade away. He also took a subtle jab at the previous Central Bank leadership under Godwin Emefiele, questioning the odd focus on agricultural lending, which strayed from the bank's core functions. The underlying message from Moghalu frames the entire incident as a stark reminder of a system where public service no longer demands merit or integrity, and where those who overreach eventually face a reckoning.
The former central bank official stated that when people in office act as if they are untouchable, the roles often reverse, and they become the targets. He was careful to clarify this as a general observation and not a direct judgment of Malami's guilt, emphasizing that the courts must decide that outcome. Moghalu expressed skepticism, however, about whether this case would reach a definitive conclusion, hinting at a pattern of corruption allegations that just fade away. He also took a subtle jab at the previous Central Bank leadership under Godwin Emefiele, questioning the odd focus on agricultural lending, which strayed from the bank's core functions. The underlying message from Moghalu frames the entire incident as a stark reminder of a system where public service no longer demands merit or integrity, and where those who overreach eventually face a reckoning.
