General
Full Text Of Buhari’s Controversial Press Briefing In Germany
By Dipo Olowookere
Last week, President Muhammadu Buhari travelled to Germany on an official visit. During the trip, he addressed the media in Berlin alongside his host, Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany.
After his address, questions were received from newsmen at the event and Mr Buhari was asked to react to an interview his wife, Mrs Aisha Buhari, granted the BBC, where she claimed a cabal had taken over her husband’s government.
Mr Buhari gave a response that has set the cyber space on fire since then and even caused his host in Germany to abruptly end the briefing.
Business Post Nigeria has got hold of what Mr Buhari actually said during the press briefing and it is reproduced below:
I am very grateful to you for this invitation. The Germans have always been concerned about Nigeria. This is very welcome, and we are grateful for it.
They invited me here during the G7 presidency. They asked me to provide the G7 with a report on the security situation in Nigeria, but above all in the region. I have done this very much and I have submitted a report to the G7.
I have mentioned on this occasion that Boko Haram has been considerably restricted in its possibilities. 14 of 177 local regions are still left where they actually have an influence, where they actually hold something like a caliphate.
But there is no real power that they have over any of our communal, regional authorities. In the meantime, they have, of course, concentrated on schools, mosques and markets in their attacks. But this possibility to carry out such attacks is also largely taken away.
We received economic and humanitarian aid from the Federal Republic of Germany. In this way, Nigeria has been enabled to expel terrorists from these areas.
The second point is the economy. We are very grateful for the fact that we have been offered training opportunities. There are about 100 German companies operating in Nigeria – most of them in the manufacturing sector. This means that the Nigerians have not only jobs, but also training opportunities. For this we are very grateful.
The new security problem that has emerged is, above all, that there have been acts of sabotage against institutions of the oil industry in the Niger Delta. I have already submitted a detailed report to the German Government, and this will continue.
We will say what we need for help, for example, information of a message service type or other, but also ways to provide us with equipment. With the leadership of the militants in the Niger Delta, with the traditional institutions there, we are currently talking. But oil companies, which have been operating in Nigeria for more than 30 years, must of course also participate in this dialogue.
As far as the economy is concerned, it is this year that we have had a lot of rain in Nigeria and we expect a very good crop so that the problems with the food imports will not be so great. We will not be so dependent on it. In a few months we will be able to create food security and even export food. Most of the foods that we have imported were, for example, wheat, maize and rice. I think in about 18 months we will be self-sufficient in this area.
As for the girls from Chibok, you have probably learned that 21 of these girls have been released. But still 100 of these girls are somewhere in the area around Lake Chad, Cameroon, Niger or Nigeria. Where they are, we do not know exactly. We have been able to free these 21 girls. We hope that we can provide it with the appropriate information to find even more and to find out. We are very grateful to the United Nations who have participated in the mission of saving these girls. But please do not forget that the whole thing takes place against the background of terrorism in Nigeria. Thousands of Nigerians have been killed by Boko Haram. There are 1.5 to 2 million people who are internally displaced and have to live in camps for internally displaced persons. At least 60 percent of them are women and children. 60 percent of these children are orphans who do not know their parents and do not know where they come from. This is a great concern for my government, which we must face. We must, of course, provide the appropriate infrastructure, especially in education and health, so that these children and displaced persons can return to their region, their city, their village and live a normal life. That is why we are very grateful for the support given by the German government. We hope for further support whenever we need it and ask for it.
Thank you very much.
Question and answer time
I come from Nigerian television. Federal Chancellor, Mr Buhari has devoted himself to combating corruption. One option he pursues is to retrieve funds outside the country. What do you do to help him? As you have said, you appreciate him.
Merkel: I appreciate him very much. We will, if he has hints, follow these instructions, of course. In all that the President has to say to Germany, we will, of course, look to help him work against corruption.
In addition, our finance minister has worked very hard to ensure the international exchange of information is compulsory. This means that in the future, it will be much harder to deal with such corrupt business. As countries, we will also work much more closely with banks to pursue all traces.
I have a question to the President. In the context of the migration crisis, the importance of re-transferring the foreign Nigerians is always written and reported. How important are these retransferments for the Nigerian economy?
Your woman has today given an interview in which she said she does not support you in the 2019 re-election if you do not transform your government. Maybe you can comment on that. Are you ready to meet your wife’s demands?
Buhari: I do not know exactly which party my wife belongs to. Actually, she belongs to my kitchen, my living room and also to the other rooms in my house. It is not easy to deal with the opposition, with those who were not with one in the election campaign. I hope that my wife will remember that I was 12 years in the field, that I have tried three times to win. The fourth time I was successful. The first three times I was in Nigeria’s highest court. So I would say that I know better about all this.
I think I know better than the members of the opposition. After all, my efforts had been successful. It is not so easy to satisfy everyone, the entire opposition of Nigeria and all parties there. They all want to be at the government, of course.
Perhaps I may briefly tell you what we have inherited.
From 1999 to 2014, Nigeria averaged 2.1 million barrels of oil per day at a price of $100. Then we had less than 40. It must also be said that the production by the actions of militants has reduced by half. This means that Nigeria has inherited a huge problem. You certainly know that 27 of the 36 states could not pay salaries to their employees. That is, there were very serious economic problems, problems of security, business, corruption, problems we try to resolve to the best of our knowledge.
I told you what the problem was with Boko Haram. We almost succeeded in preventing them from dominating somewhere in Nigeria. As far as the economy is concerned, we have now concentrated on agriculture. We ask you to invest primarily in the mineral sector, in the field of mineral resources.
In the Niger Delta, too, we have turned to the militant leadership and the people they support locally. We have approached the oil companies, which have been operating in the country for a long time, more than 30 years, and know the whole environment, including the local people. We want to negotiate with them, so that there will be a truce.
The government has the ability and the ability to cope with these people, just as we have come to terms with Boko Haram. But it is in the interest of Nigeria and all regions of Nigeria that we solve these issues through dialogue, as a much more civilized way of dealing with each other.
Your country has opened its doors to a large number of refugees from other countries, with a great deal of insecurity and a great deal of poverty. But this is now a problem for you. How can you prevent such a destabilization from happening to you and also in Nigeria?
Merkel: Firstly, we must, of course, be politically committed to peace and security. This is very difficult, for example, in Syria or Iraq. We are therefore all the more pleased that much has already been achieved in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and at Lake Chad.
People who do not really live peacefully have big problems, of course. But there are also the economic problems. We have said in Germany that we want to give protection to many who have come to us because of war and expulsion. This is why the rate of recognition in legal proceedings is very high, for example, for people from Syria and Iraq. But for people coming from Nigeria, the recognition rate is only 8 percent. That is, we must assume that many come for economic reasons. We can understand that. But we must then say that in order to provide humanitarian protection to those who really flee before the war, we must return to those who do not have a right of residence in Germany.
This is what the European Commission is talking about. We also talked today about how we can do this and send out the signal at the same time: We want to put the smugglers and the traffickers the craft. But we also want to help people who are in need in Nigeria. That is why we want to offer those who do not go on the illegal path, for vocational training, for training, for the acquisition of skills, so that they have a better chance of achieving a good future for themselves. Then this is good for both sides.
There can be no business about corruption, illegal trafficking, arms trafficking, drug trafficking – all of which are connected – and states are destabilized, but we are working together as states, so that the people of Nigeria have some of it and at the same time the signal “Those who do not have a right of residence in Germany – 92 per cent of the people from Nigeria who come to us – have to return” to stop the illegality.
You said you had talked about the problem of return. Have you received any commitments, or do you intend to conclude a regular return contract with Nigeria?
Just a quick glance into the next week: Are you confident that a meeting in Normandy will be held here in Berlin?
Merkel: As for the next week, I cannot say that yet, because I have to wait and see what messages I get from the now ongoing conversations on the workbene. We keep this open, but we have not yet reached the decision.
On your first question: the negotiations with the European Commission are only starting in October. That is, we have not made specific arrangements today. But I have, of course, said that Germany supports these negotiations by the European Commission, and that in return, both on the basis of the Valletta agreement, we can use both European and German resources, especially to promote legal opportunities for vocational training that illegality can be combated. But we have not discussed details yet.
Courtesy TAZ
Related articles across the web
By Adedapo Adesanya
The new chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has assumed office with a clear message to advance the country’s upstream oil and gas sector in line with the mandate of the commission as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
According to a statement signed by Mr Eniola Akinkuotu, the Head of Media & Strategic Communications at the upstream regulator, the NUPRC boss made this assertation during her first town hall meeting with management and staff on Tuesday December 23, 2025.
She further disclosed plans to make the commission a business enabler and re-ignite investments in the upstream sector.
Recall that President Tinubu nominated Mrs Eyesan to take over the NUPRC after the abrupt resignation of her predecessor, Mr Gbenga Komolafe as well as his counterpart in the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed.
In her new capacity, Mrs Eyesan also set a firm production ambition of growing Nigeria’s output and increasing gas production.
“The goal is that we must enable the industry, we are regulators. We must enable the industry from our interactions with the stakeholders, from our interactions with everybody.
“My main objective is to ensure that we make a difference. I believe the NUPRC is at the Center of the industry,” she said.
The commission boss who has served for over three decades in the oil and gas sector, promised to entrench digitisation, transparency and efficiency in operations.
The NUPRC head said with the support of staff and management, the NUPRC will become the gold-standard regulator in Africa. She also promised capacity development, stronger technical depth and sustained engagement with stakeholders, unions and professional teams.
On leadership style, Mrs Eyesan promised an open-door policy and frequent staff engagement, while also soliciting for support and cooperation as the industry embarks on the next phase of transformation.
“If we work together we can unleash opportunities, I don’t see impediments only opportunities,” she added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance, peace, and unity, urging citizens of all faiths to reject violence and intolerance amid ongoing security challenges across the country.
In his 2025 Christmas goodwill message issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President emphasised that no Nigerian should suffer discrimination or violence because of their religious beliefs, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to safeguarding freedom of worship and national cohesion.
“As your President, I remain committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect all people of different faiths from violence,” Mr Tinubu said, noting that all Nigerians have the constitutional right to live, worship, and pursue their aspirations in safety and dignity.
The President acknowledged growing concerns around religious intolerance and insecurity, revealing that he had engaged extensively throughout the year with leaders of Nigeria’s two major faiths.
In the last few months, the country faced a spate of attacks including kidnapping of school children and armed terror, involving the death of a high ranking army personnel.
He also said the government would continue to build on these engagements to strengthen collaboration with religious institutions, prevent conflict, and promote peaceful coexistence.
President Tinubu described Christmas as a period for reflection on the message of Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace, urging Nigerians to draw inspiration from values of love, compassion, and goodwill that cut across all major religions.
He commended Christians in Nigeria for their contributions to national development, particularly their role in caring for the vulnerable and promoting harmony within communities.
“The love for God and love for humanity is at the heart of all the great faiths. These shared values must continue to bind us together as one indivisible and resilient people,” he said.
Reiterating his administration’s stance on security, the President said the government’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s unity and stability has remained unwavering since he assumed office in 2023. He stressed that the state would not tolerate violence targeted at any group on the basis of ethnicity or belief.
President Tinubu also appealed to Nigerians travelling during the festive season to exercise patience and discipline on the roads, wishing them safe journeys and returns.
Expressing optimism about the country’s future, the President said that with faith in God and collective resolve, Nigeria would overcome its challenges and build a nation that future generations would be proud of.
He concluded by wishing Christians in Nigeria and around the world a Merry Christmas and Nigerians a happy New Year in advance.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has filed 16 alleged money laundering charges, to the tune of N1.014 billion, against a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Mr Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Also listed as a co-defendant in the case is Hajia Bashir Asabe.
According to the charge, the government is accusing Mr Malami, his son, and others of being involved in the laundering and concealment of N1,014,848,500.00 allegedly traced to a commercial bank.
In the 16 charges, the Nigerian government alleged that between July 2022 and June 2025, within Abuja and the jurisdiction of the court, the defendants procured Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of the money.
The charge alleges, in part, that the defendants used the company as a front to conceal the origin and movement of the funds, an act the government says constitutes money laundering under Nigerian law.
The alleged offence is said to be contrary to Section 21(c) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.
The 16 charges reveal how Malami allegedly engaged Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to launder funds.
The charges are as follows:
“That you Abubakar Malami SAN, and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami between July 2022 and June, 2025 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of the total sum of N1, 014, 848, 500.00 (One Billion, Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Eight Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) in the Sterling Bank Plc Account No. 0079182387 when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum formed proceeds of unlawful activities and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(c) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.
“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation, and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami between September 2020 and February, 2021in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of the total sum of N600,013,460.4 in the Sterling Bank Plc Account No. 0079182387 when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum formed proceeds of unlawful activities and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012) and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act
“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami sometime in March, 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did retain the total sum of N600,000,000.00 in Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited as cash collateral for a loan of N500,000,000.00 granted to RAYHAAN HOTELS LTD by Sterling Bank Plc when you reasonably ought to have known that the said cash collateral of N600,000,000.00 was proceed of unlawful activities and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 as amendedpunishable under section 15(3) of the same Act
“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited sometime in November, 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did indirectly disguise the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum of N500,000,000.00 paid to Efab Properties Ltd paid for purchase of property known as luxury duplex at Amazon street, Plot No. 3011 within Cadastral Zone A06 Maitama District, Abuja in favour of Abubakar Malami SAN when you reasonably ought to have known that the said N500million formed proceed of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(2) (a) and punishable under section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“That you Abubakar Malami SAN, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd sometimes in September 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired to disguise the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum of N1,049,173,926.13 paid through the Union Bank Plc account of Meethaq Hotels Ltd Jabi savings Account No. 0179011105 between November 2022 and September 2024 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022 and punishable under Section 18(2) (a) and (3) of the same Act.
“That you Abubakar Malami SAN, and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami between November 2022 and October, 2025 indirectly took control of the aggregate sum of N1,362,887,872.96 paid through the savings account of Meethaq Hotels Limited in Union Bank Plc when you reasonably ought to have known that the said funds formed proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2) (d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd sometimes between November and December, 2018 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly concealed the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum of N700,000,000.00 paid for the purchase of the property described as No. 3 Onitsha Crescent Area 11, Garki Abuja (Hamonia Hotels Ltd) in favour of Abubakar Malami SAN when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum of N700, 000,000.00formed proceeds of unlawful activityand you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (d) and punishable under section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.
“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltdsometimes between September 2020 and December, 2020 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly concealed the aggregate sum of N850,000,000.00 paid for the purchase of property described as Plot 683 Jabi District Cadastral Zone B04 (Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Jabi) when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum of N850, 000, 000.00 represented proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.
“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited on or about February, 2018 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly acquired the property described as No. 3 Rhine Street Maitama, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Ltd) for an aggregate sum of N430,000,000.00 when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum of N430,000,000.00 formed proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.”
“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd sometimes on or about February, 2018 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly concealed the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum of N210,000,000.00 paid for the purchaseof the property described as No. 3130 Cadastral Zone A04 Asokoro District, Abuja in favour of Abubakar Malami SAN when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum of N210, 000, 000,000.00 represented proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (d) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.
“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd between March and June 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly concealed the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum of N325,000,000,000.00 paid for the purchase of property described as No. 1241B Asokoro District Zone (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent Asokoro) in favour of Abubakar Malami SAN when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum of N325, 000, 000.00 represented proceed of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (d) and punishable under section 15(3) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.
“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd between November 2015 and January, 2016 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly concealed the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum of N120,000,000,000.00 paid for the purchase of property described as No. 27 Efab Estate 5th Avenue, 59th Crescent, Gwarimpa, Abuja in favour of Abubakar Malami SAN when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum of N120, 000, 000.00 represented proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (d) and punishable under section 15(3) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.
“That you Abubakar Malami SANwhilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and Hajia Bashir Asabe an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd sometime in November, 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to conceal the unlawful origin of the funds paid for the purchase of property known as luxury duplex at Amazon street, Plot No. 3011 within Cadastral Zone A06 Maitama District, Abuja and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022 and punishable under Section 18(2) (a) and (3) of the same Act.
“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation, Hajia Bashir Asabe whilst being an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd and other persons at large between December, 2016 and April, 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to indirectly acquire landed properties for Abubakar Malami SAN with proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2011 and punishable under Section 15(2) (a) and (3) of the same Act.
“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation, between June and January, 2023in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly concealed the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum N537,000,000.00 which you paid for the purchase of the properties namely (i) No. 26 Babbi Street, BUA Estate, Abuja, (ii) 4 bedroom Bungalow, Guesse 2 Brinin- Kebbi and (iii) No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Kano, Nassarawa GRA, Kano knowing that the said sum of N537, 000,000.00formed proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(2) (a) and punishable under section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“That you Abubakar Malami SAN whilst being the Attorney-General of the Federation, between October 2018 and December, 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly concealed the aggregate sum N415,000,000.00 which you paid for the purchase of the properties namely (i) No. 28 Bagudu Kaltio crescent Gwarimpa, Abuja (ii) Plot 13, Ipent 7 Estate Abuja and (iii) A Plaza, Commercial Toilets, Laundry and Warehouse Tanks Adjacent to Brinin Kebbi Market (iv) 100 hectares of land Along Brinin Kebbi, Jeba Road (v) Plot 157 Lamido Crescent, Nassarawa Road GRA, Kano knowing that the said sum of N415,000,000.00 formed proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended.”
Mr Malami served as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn