
Birth
Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN was born on the 29th of Zul Hijja 1386 (Monday, 10th April, 1967 at Birnin Kebbi in Kebbi State. He was born into the respectable and learned family of Khadi Malami and Hajiya Halima. His father was a renowned judge of the Sharia Court of Appeal who presided over numerous important matters on Islamic law.
At a very early age, his parents ensured that he was raised as a disciplined kid. They inculcated in him the tenets of the Islamic faith, knowledge of the Quran and the Arabic language. These early pivots were to later become strong beacons of guidance in his life.
Primary Education
The young Abubakar began his primary education in 1973 at Nassarawa Primary School in Birnin Kebbi. He completed the Primary School Leaving Certificate in 1979. This period laid a solid foundation for his formal pursuit of Western education. At this point, he was already well-versed in Quranic studies.
Post Primary Schooling
In 1979, the young Abubakar then proceeded to the College of Arts & Arabic Studies, Sokoto where he earned the Grade II Teachers Certificate in 1984. His quest for knowledge also took him to the College of Legal & Islamic Studies, Sokoto where he obtained the Diploma in Law (Combined Honors) in 1987. It was very evident from this point onwards that the young Abubakar had set his sight on becoming a lawyer. However, little also did he know at the same that he would later in life attain the highest position in his legal career in Nigeria.
Tertiary Education
To fully set himself on the path of becoming a member of the learned profession, the youthful Abubakar proceeded to Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto in 1987 to study law. He graduated with Bachelor of Laws (Combined Honours) degree in 1991. He was subsequently then called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1992.
After joining the legal fraternity, the budding Abubakar had another quest. He wanted to horn his skills as an aspiring administrator, preparatory to assuming the mantle of leadership in the future. In a bid to do actualize this dream, he proceeded to the University of Maiduguri and enrolled for a postgraduate programme in public administration. He obtained the Master’s of Public Administration in 1994. Equipped with both the professional legal training in law and expertise in public administration, the coast became clear for Mr Abubakar to embark on a rewarding and fulfilling career in the academia, public and private practice.
Career
As a young law graduate and qualified barrister, Mr Abubakar opted for a career in teaching. He was an Assistant Lecturer in the Faculty of Law, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto from 2001-2003. He was promoted to the rank of Lecturer II in law in 2003 and served until 2006. During his stint in academia, he was endeared to his students and was looked up to by many of them as a good mentor. His lectures were well-received by students, who after many years later, still have fond memories and good things to say about him. Some of the students he taught are now doctorate degree holders in law and others are occupying very senior positions in the public and private sectors of our economy.
Much earlier on in his practicing career, Mr Abubakar had served as a lawyer in the law firm of K.T. Turaki & Co., in 1994. He was Head of Chambers at A. M. Hassan & Co., Birnin-Kebbi from 1994-1995. He also served as State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice, Kebbi State in 1995. His brief stint on the Bench saw him becoming a Magistrate II in the Kebbi State Judiciary, Birnin-Kebbi from 1995 to 1996.
In 1997, he once again ventured into private practice and at this point was privileged to head the law Chambers of K. T. Turaki & Co., until 2002. As fate would have it, the sojourn in private legal practice paid off and he eventually became the Principal Partner of A. A. Malami & Co., from 2002-2015.
Honours and Awards
As a very distinguished legal practitioner, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN is the recipient of various prestigious awards and fellowships. He is a recipient of the award of Excellency by Democratic Youth Association of Nigeria. He was selected as the Kebbi Chapter ASUP Lawyer of the Year by Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Kano State Chapter. He was also given the award of Integrity by the Guardian Newspapers. This is in addition to receiving the award of Appreciation and Commendation by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2012.
Professional Bodies
Mr Abubakar is a member of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria since 2008 and to date. He is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) since 1992 and up till today.
As an astute Bar-man, he distinguished himself as a worthy contributor to the good of the Association by holding key positions in the administration of the NBA. He served as a member of the National Executive Committee of the NBA Representative, Kano Branch from 2005 – 2008; Secretary General, Nigerian Bar Association, Kano Branch in 2003; Member Welfare Committee, NBA, Kano Branch from 2001 -2003.
He was also a member of the Sub Committee of 2002 (Ibadan) National Conference Planning Committee, as well as the National Publicity Secretary Muslim Lawyers Forum Association of Nigeria, a post he held from 2001-2003.
Political Landscape
Mr Malami, SAN, has long association with the political developments of the country. He served as a member of the Constitution Sub – Committee for All Progressives Congress (APC) 6th June 2014. He was Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Kano State Congress Appeal Committee 15th May 2014. He also served as a member of the Kebbi State Committee on National Conference Convened by the Federal Government in 2013.
Another political assignment saw him serve as the member of the APC Electoral Committee for Anambra State Gubernatorial Election in 2013, as well as a member, National Convention and Congress Committee in 2013. This is in addition to being a member of the Merger Committees between the CPC, CAN & ANPP which led to the formation of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2013.
Prior to the formation of the APC, Mr Malami, SAN had served as the National Legal Adviser of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) 2011-2013; Chairman of the Legal Team of the CPC Presidential Campaign Organization, 2011; Member of the Kano State Local Government Election Tribunal in 2004; Resource Person on the Manifesto drafting Sub-Committee of Inter Joint Party; and also member of the PDP Legal Team for Election Petition in 2003.
Ministerial Assignments
It is very apparent that given Mr Malami’s extensive private and public legal practice experience, it is only logical to assume the political horizon is equally within the range of his focus. His foray into politics has been both timely and rewarding. From 2015 and up till now, he serves as the Chairman of the High Powered Presidential Committee on the Extension of the Continental Shelf. He has also served as the Chairman of the Presidential Inter-Agency Committee on the Recovery of AMCON portfolio loans. He is currently the supervising Minister of the Presidential Committee on Prison Reform and Decongestion. Mr Malami, SAN is equally the Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on the Financial Autonomy of State legislature and judiciary. He currently serves as the Chairman Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.