 In January 2006 he caused controversy when he spoke at a meeting of the Arewa Consultative Forum in Kaduna, saying he regretted not having overthrown Obasanjo's government while he was COAS.The president's Public Affairs Assistant, Femi Fani-Kayode, said Malu’s statement was treasonable.In September 2008 Malu, a diabetic, went into a coma and was rushed to Lagos University Teaching Hospital where he was placed on life support in the intensive care unit.