Accountability Push: High-Profile Corruption Cases Advance in Nigeria and South Africa
Former Nigerian officials including ex-Kaduna governor El-Rufai and former Attorney-General Malami face court proceedings, while a South African military general appears on bribery charges, signaling intensified anti-corruption efforts across the continent.
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Courts in Nigeria and South Africa are advancing multiple high-profile corruption and criminal cases against senior officials, marking a significant test of judicial independence and anti-corruption frameworks in Africa's two largest economies.
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai is scheduled for arraignment before a Federal High Court in Abuja on February 25 on a three-count criminal charge related to alleged cybercrime offences, according to The Nation Newspaper. The Federal High Court has issued fresh pronouncements on the suit filed against El-Rufai, though specific details of the charges have not been publicly disclosed. El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna from 2015 to 2023, has been a polarizing figure in Nigerian politics, known for his outspoken social media presence and controversial policies.
The El-Rufai case represents the latest in a series of legal actions against former state governors in Nigeria, where the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified prosecutions of ex-officials following their departure from office. Under Nigerian law, governors enjoy immunity from prosecution while in office, but become vulnerable to legal action once their terms expire.
Malami Trial Postponed
In a separate proceeding, the trial of Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, alongside his son Abdulaziz, was adjourned to February 27 by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik postponed the case due to a public holiday declared in the Federal Capital Territory, according to Business Day and The Whistler.
The Department of State Services (DSS) filed the case against Malami and his son, though the specific charges have not been detailed in court documents made public. Malami served as Nigeria's chief law officer under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023, a tenure marked by controversy over selective prosecution and allegations of corruption within the justice system itself.
The prosecution of a former Attorney-General represents a particularly sensitive matter in Nigerian jurisprudence, given the office's role in overseeing the country's legal system and anti-corruption efforts. Legal observers note that the case will test whether Nigeria's judiciary can impartially handle prosecutions of individuals who previously wielded significant influence over law enforcement agencies.
South African Military Bribery Case
In South Africa, Brigadier Johannes Mkhabela of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) appeared in court alongside his lawyer and personal assistant on charges related to an alleged R1.5 million bribery attempt. According to TimesLive, Mkhabela was arrested by officers from the Madlanga task team—a specialized unit established by President Cyril Ramaphosa—for allegedly attempting to bribe an investigating officer who was probing him in a separate intimidation case.
The Madlanga task team was created to investigate high-level corruption within state institutions, including the military and security services. The arrest of a senior military officer on bribery charges underscores ongoing concerns about corruption within South Africa's defense establishment, which has faced scrutiny over procurement irregularities and mismanagement in recent years.
The case also highlights the risks faced by investigators pursuing corruption cases against powerful officials. Attempts to bribe or intimidate investigators have been documented across multiple African countries, often undermining anti-corruption efforts and discouraging whistleblowers from coming forward.
Regional Anti-Corruption Context
These cases unfold against a backdrop of renewed emphasis on accountability across Africa. The African Union's Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, ratified by 49 member states, requires signatories to criminalize corruption and ensure effective prosecution of offenders. However, implementation remains uneven, with political interference in judicial processes continuing to undermine anti-corruption efforts in many countries.
In Nigeria, the EFCC has secured numerous convictions of former governors and ministers in recent years, though critics argue that prosecutions often target political opponents while allies of sitting governments escape scrutiny. South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority has similarly faced accusations of selective prosecution, particularly during the tenure of former President Jacob Zuma.
The outcomes of these cases will provide important indicators of judicial independence and the effectiveness of anti-corruption institutions in both countries. With El-Rufai's arraignment scheduled for February 25 and the Malami trial set to resume February 27, the coming weeks will test whether courts can deliver impartial justice in politically sensitive cases involving former senior officials.