Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar paid a solidarity visit to former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, on Monday, March 23, 2026, following his return from performing Umrah (lesser Hajj) in Saudi Arabia. The visit was aimed in part at urging authorities to release former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who remains in detention.
Atiku disclosed the visit in a post on his verified X handle, stating, “I led a delegation on a solidarity visit to the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, following my return to the country on Saturday night from Umrah (lesser Hajj).”
The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate took the opportunity to call for the immediate release of El-Rufai and other political detainees.
“I wish to serve notice to the authorities detaining former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and all other political detainees to release them henceforth,” Atiku said. He further emphasized that “no one should be detained simply because they do not share the same ideology or political platform with the government of the day.”
Atiku did not elaborate on the specific circumstances surrounding the detentions or ongoing cases.
**Photos:**
– Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar with former Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami. *(Photo: X|Atiku)*
Abubakar Malami is currently facing two separate court cases. One involves allegations of terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms, while the other relates to an N8.7 billion fraud and money laundering case.
The trial for Malami resumed at the Federal High Court in Abuja last Monday. During proceedings, prosecution witnesses—including compliance officers from Union Bank and Access Bank—testified regarding financial transactions linked to accounts associated with Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Rayhaan Bustan, and other related entities.
Malami and his wife were present in court alongside their son, who joined shortly before the court adjourned for an hour. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted multiple documents into evidence, including bank statements and official correspondence from financial institutions.
The hearing has been adjourned to April 20, 2026, for continuation.
