Malami Remains in EFCC Custody Over Unmet Bail Conditions as Probe Expands to 18 Offences
Detained former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, spent Tuesday night in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after failing to satisfy the bail conditions set for his release.
According to details PulseNets learnt from an EFCC insider, Malami remained in detention until about 10:00 p.m., with investigators insisting he had yet to comply with the mandatory requirements tied to his bail. He is also facing extended questioning over a series of serious financial and administrative allegations.
The anti-graft agency is probing Malami over alleged money laundering activities and the operation of multiple suspicious accounts. Investigators are also examining lingering concerns surrounding terrorism financing and the handling of recovered public assets, including the Abacha loot repatriated from Switzerland and Jersey.
An EFCC official told PulseNets that the former minister will not be released until his bail obligations are fully met.
“We have detained him over terrorism financing and issues surrounding recovered funds linked to the Abacha loot. Until he fulfils the required conditions, he will remain in custody,” the official said.
The source further explained that Malami had initially been granted bail but failed to meet the stipulated terms.
“He is presently in our custody. The allegations against him are many, and he did not meet the bail conditions earlier given. That is why he remains detained,” the official added.
PulseNets obtained additional details indicating that Malami has been instructed to report daily for interrogation throughout December as part of the ongoing investigation.
The EFCC insider revealed that the former minister is being probed for 18 separate offences, ranging from money laundering and abuse of office to terrorism financing.
“We cannot give a specific amount yet because new financial trails continue to emerge as we dig deeper,” the source noted.
Malami, however, dismissed all allegations, maintaining they are baseless and politically motivated.
In a strongly worded response, he said:
“These claims are fabricated. My track record in office contradicts any suggestion that I was involved in terrorism financing.”
Also Read: $2.4 billion missing oil: Malami bows to pressure, to appear before Reps panel
He further stressed his commitment to legal reforms during his time in office.
“As attorney general and minister of justice, I collaborated with all relevant institutions to strengthen Nigeria’s framework against money laundering and terrorism financing—not undermine it,” he stated.
