Prominent figures named in the recent petition include Alhaja Ladidi B. Muhammed, a high-ranking official within Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Justice’s Asset Recovery Unit; Barrister Buni, who serves as a confidential secretary; and Alhassan Dantata, the Chairman and CEO of Crescent House Limited.
### Whistleblower Uncovers Massive Financial Fraud Involving Top Justice Officials
John Kpurhe, a whistleblower, has exposed a staggering allegation implicating former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Justice and a private businessman. The accusation centers on the embezzlement of over $1.03 billion-precisely $1,034,515,050-belonging to the Nigerian government. This sum was allegedly diverted through a counterfeit bank account designed to imitate one associated with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), as revealed by documents obtained by SaharaReporters.
### The Fraudulent Account Scheme and Its Role in the Scam
The illicit funds were funneled into a forged bank account bearing the number 0013680344, falsely presented as an NPA account held at Unity Bank Plc, located at NPA, 26/28 Marina, Lagos. This sham account served as a vehicle to unlawfully divert government monies.
### Initial Exposure and Recovery Efforts
Upon uncovering the suspicious account, Kpurhe promptly reported the matter to then-Attorney General Malami. Following this, Malami allegedly directed Alhaja Ladidi B. Muhammed to spearhead the recovery initiative. On June 11, 2018, Kpurhe formalized the fraud allegations in a letter addressed to Alhaja Ladidi, in line with Malami’s instructions.
Subsequently, on June 22, 2018, a formal agreement was executed between Kpurhe’s legal counsel, Barrister Mamma, and the Attorney General, representing the Ministry of Justice, to facilitate the retrieval of the misappropriated funds.
### Judicial Proceedings and Obstacles in Fund Recovery
The recovery process involved several court sessions at the Federal High Court in Apapa, Lagos, with key participants including Barrister Buni and Kpurhe. Despite these efforts, the proceedings faced significant hurdles that impeded progress.
### Abrupt Dismissal of Legal Representation and Disruption of Recovery Process
On July 27, 2018, Alhaja Ladidi issued a letter terminating Barrister Mamma’s involvement in the recovery case, citing ongoing litigation concerning the account. Kpurhe’s legal team alleges this move was a deliberate attempt to exclude their lawyer. The petition claims that Alhaja Ladidi expressed irritation over Barrister Mamma’s frequent visits to her office, describing them as bothersome, and insisted there was no irregularity with the account itself.
On the same day, Kpurhe was instructed to submit a fresh information letter, effectively invalidating the earlier June 11 correspondence. Additionally, his uncle, Ambassador Gilbert Nwokenye (JP, DSS retired), submitted a similar letter dated July 27, 2018, which Alhaja Ladidi officially acknowledged.
### Allegations of Complete Misappropriation of $1.034 Billion
The petition, filed by FritzAbbey Solicitors & Advocates to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accuses Malami and his associates of diverting the entire $1,034,515,050 for personal gain.
“We represent John Kpurhe and hereby bring to your attention the fraudulent diversion of $1,034,515,050 by former Attorney General Malami Abubakar (SAN) and his associates,” the petition declares.
### Safety Concerns and Plea for Protective Measures
Beyond the financial allegations, the petition highlights serious security threats faced by Kpurhe and staff at Legal Hub Nigeria due to their involvement in the case. The legal team has appealed to the EFCC to ensure their protection throughout the investigation.
Kpurhe has expressed readiness to fully cooperate with the EFCC, including providing detailed testimony.
### EFCC Confirms Receipt of Petition
SaharaReporters verified that the EFCC officially received the petition on January 8, 2026, at 2:49 p.m. The case is logged under petition number EFCC/PET/HOR/0072/2026, titled “Petition with Respect to Financial Fraud Against the Federal Government of Nigeria Committed by Messrs Malami Abubakar (SAN) and Ladidi B. Muhammed,” submitted by FritzAbbey Solicitors and Advocates.
### Current Legal Status of Abubakar Malami and Co-Defendants
Abubakar Malami is currently detained at Kuje Correctional Centre, undergoing trial alongside his son, Abdulaziz Malami (also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria), and his wife, Bashir Asabe. They face charges involving the laundering of ₦8.7 billion across 16 counts brought by the EFCC.
On January 7, 2026, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted bail to Malami and his co-defendants, each set at ₦500 million with two sureties. The sureties must own property in prestigious Abuja neighborhoods such as Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa, and are required to submit travel documents and affidavits of means. Malami himself must surrender his travel documents and is barred from leaving Nigeria without court approval.
### Temporary Seizure of Properties Linked to Malami Amid Investigation
In a related move, the Federal High Court ordered the provisional forfeiture of 57 properties connected to Malami. These assets, located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states, are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The ex-parte order, granted following an EFCC application, places the properties under federal government custody pending further inquiry.
Justice Nwite underscored the reasonable suspicion of illegality surrounding these assets, reinforcing the government’s resolve to combat corruption and recover stolen public funds.
