By Muhammad Mamman
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized the international passport of former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN), as part of its ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of a staggering US$490 million recovered from the late general Sani Abacha’s assets under a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT).
An EFCC fact sheet made public on Saturday noted that the passport seizure is intended to prevent Malami from leaving the country while the agency reviews voluminous documents and interacts with multiple detectives assigned to the investigation.
Malami had earlier been invited by the commission to explain his role — if any — in accounting for the recovered funds. He was released on administrative bail at about 1:00 a.m. Saturday after interrogation, but under strict conditions that include daily reporting to EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
While the EFCC clarified it is not accusing him of theft, it insists he must provide satisfactory explanations regarding the fate of the Abacha loot. “We didn’t say he stole the money, but he should account for the loot,” an official said.
Malami, in turn, dismissed the accusations as “fabricated,” saying on X (formerly Twitter) that his engagement with the agency was “successful,” and reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and co-operation. He said he remains a law-abiding citizen and will continue to submit to the agency’s processes.
As the investigation unfolds, the EFCC has warned that Malami will remain on bail conditions and may only travel abroad again subject to court approval or the commission’s consent.
- The case brings renewed scrutiny on how funds recovered from looted national coffers — particularly from the Abacha era — are managed or disbursed.
- As a former top legal official, Malami’s involvement could raise serious questions about oversight, accountability, and transparency within high-level governance and asset-recovery processes.
- The passport seizure — a move once described by critics as constitutionally questionable — signals the EFCC’s intent to restrict movement to ensure compliance.
Malami is expected to report daily to EFCC headquarters in Abuja for further questioning over the coming weeks. Investigators say they will review every document connected to the recovered funds before releasing their findings to the public.
If you like — I can prepare a full-backgrounder on this case: tracing the Abacha loot, past asset-recovery efforts, and previous controversies linked to Malami.
