Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, is set to spend a third consecutive night in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after he failed to fulfil strict bail conditions imposed by investigators, according to local news reports.
Malami, who served as Nigeria’s chief law officer from 2015 to 2023, was first taken into EFCC custody earlier this week after being invited for questioning by the anti-graft agency. The EFCC had granted him bail with a series of conditions, including surrender of his international passport and daily reporting to the commission’s Abuja headquarters throughout December.
By late Tuesday night, Malami had not complied with the terms, prompting investigators to keep him detained as the probe deepened. According to sources familiar with the matter, he was unable to provide the necessary sureties and meet other requirements before the deadline, forcing him to remain in EFCC custody.
The EFCC has said the former minister is being questioned in connection with a wide-ranging investigation that now includes up to 18 alleged offences, such as money laundering, abuse of office and terrorism financing. The agency is also examining transactions linked to recovered Abacha loot funds repatriated from Switzerland and the Island of Jersey, and has asked Malami to account for multiple suspicious bank accounts allegedly associated with him.
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Reports indicate that the EFCC has interrogated Malami about 46 bank accounts thought to be tied to his time in office, though the total financial value under scrutiny continues to evolve as investigators uncover more details. The commission also reportedly secured a remand order to support his continued detention.
Malami’s legal team and media representatives have strongly denied the allegations, describing claims of terrorism financing and the existence of 46 bank accounts as “false, misleading and baseless.” In an official statement, his media assistant said there is no evidence that Malami has been formally charged with terrorism financing by any law enforcement agency, and that reports suggesting otherwise are part of a coordinated smear campaign.
The statement further maintained that Malami’s record in office “directly contradicts any insinuation of complicity in terrorism financing” and highlighted his role in strengthening Nigeria’s legal and institutional frameworks against money laundering and terrorist financing during his tenure.
EFCC officials have said Malami will remain in custody until he meets all bail conditions and continues to cooperate with questioning. They have also reiterated that he will be expected to attend daily interrogation sessions throughout the month as the investigation progresses.
The high-profile nature of this case has drawn significant public and media attention, with stakeholders across Nigeria watching developments closely as the anti-graft agency pursues its inquiry.
