AYPA Accuses EFCC, Media of Biased Reporting

The Arewa Youth Progressive Alliance (AYPA) has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and some media organisations of presenting a one-sided account of the ongoing trial involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, AYPA spokesperson Adam Umar Adam alleged that several reports highlighted aspects of the prosecution’s case while omitting key details that emerged during cross-examination of the fifth prosecution witness.

The witness, a compliance officer with Jaiz Bank, testified about transactions linked to Alkausar Farms, a company mentioned in the case. According to the group, many reports focused on financial movements through the account but failed to include statements made by the witness under questioning from the defence.

“Curiously, the same reports deliberately ignored the most important revelations that emerged during cross-examination,” the group said.

AYPA stated that the witness admitted she was not the account officer responsible for the account and confirmed that neither Abubakar Malami, his wife nor his son was a signatory to it. The group also claimed the witness told the court that none of the funds in the account originated from the Federal Ministry of Justice and that no transactions were traced between the ministry and the account.

According to AYPA, these details are central to the Abubakar Malami trial and should have received equal attention in media coverage. The group argued that the testimony did not establish ownership of the account by Malami or show that he controlled or benefited from the transactions under investigation.

AYPA further noted that Alkausar Farms was established in 2008, years before Malami became Attorney-General. It maintained that reporting financial transactions without establishing ownership, signatory authority or criminal links creates a misleading public impression.

The alliance urged journalists to uphold professional standards by reporting court proceedings comprehensively and called on the EFCC to exercise caution in its public communication on ongoing cases.

It emphasised that every defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court.