Mahdi Shehu’s Alleged Extortion Attempt: Attorney General Malami’s Version

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has spoken out about the arrest of Kaduna-based businessman, Mahdi Shehu, alleging an attempt to extort $500,000 from him. The arrest has stirred controversy, with Shehu’s lawyer accusing the police of targeting his client due to his calls for the prosecution of Malami and other former top officials.

Malami’s law firm, A.A. Malami SAN and Co, released a statement asserting that Shehu was apprehended in a hotel while demanding the said sum. According to the statement, the arrest was based on allegations of extortion, criminal intimidation, and attempted fraudulent obtainment of money by a syndicate using GSM numbers and email addresses.

The firm’s representative, M.E. Sheriff, highlighted that the information disclosed by Shehu during sustained communications led to the discovery of incriminating documents, linking him to hacking and financial improprieties affecting Hajiya Aisha Abubakar Malami. These documents, retrieved by the police, are grounds for pursuing Shehu’s involvement.

Malami urged Nigerians to support the ongoing police investigation, emphasizing that all pertinent documents are available for scrutiny. He concluded by expressing confidence in the investigative process and the veracity of the evidence uncovered.

This developing story continues to evolve, prompting a call for impartiality and the need for a rigorous inquiry into the allegations and counter-allegations.