By Muhammad Mamman
Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has addressed the circumstances surrounding his continued detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), insisting he voluntarily reported to the agency and questioning why he remains in custody.
Malami, who served as Nigeria’s chief law officer from 2015 to 2023, said he honoured an invitation from the anti-graft agency earlier this week but has since been held after failing to meet the stringent bail conditions set by the EFCC.
In a statement released through his media aides, the senior lawyer clarified that his engagement with investigators was in relation to allegations linked to the handling of recovered Abacha loot and other financial matters — not terrorism financing, as some media reports have suggested. He described several narratives circulating in the press as “false, misleading and entirely baseless,” aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
According to sources at the EFCC, Malami remains in detention because he did not fulfil all the conditions attached to his bail, which included presenting sureties and complying with other requirements to secure his release. The commission indicated that the probe, now said to cover multiple alleged offences including money laundering and abuse of office, will continue as investigators seek clarity on complex financial transactions dating back to his tenure in office.
Officials confirmed that Malami was initially granted bail but was unable to meet the conditions, prompting the extension of his custody while questioning progresses. The agency has also reportedly asked him to appear daily throughout December as part of ongoing interrogation efforts.
Malami, however, has categorically denied all allegations of wrongdoing, maintaining that his tenure was marked by efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s legal framework on anti-money laundering and financial transparency. He urged the public to disregard what he characterised as sensational reporting and a coordinated media trial designed to misrepresent the facts.
As the situation unfolds, legal observers note that the case underscores broader tensions between high-profile public officials and anti-graft agencies in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against corruption.
