Dare Babalola
Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for setting “stringent and difficult” bail conditions, alleging that the agency is obstructing his ability to meet them.
Muhammed Bello Doka, Malami’s media aide stated this in a statement on Sunday, accusing the anti-graft agency of misleading the public through its claims that Malami refused bail.
“Such conditions are intentionally used by EFCC to prolong his detention at the same time, saying he refused bail. From the onset, Malami was ready to comply with the bail, but the commission denied him the opportunity to do so,” Doka said.
He further dismissed allegations that the former minister attempted to evade investigations, describing Malami as a law-abiding citizen who had never sought to avoid questioning.
Malami’s detention follows an administrative bail granted to him on 28 November 2025, pending the conclusion of investigations into alleged financial and administrative infractions during his tenure from 2015 to 2023.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said Malami’s detention was lawful and driven by the failure to meet bail conditions.
“Administrative bail is a discretionary temporary reprieve that allows a suspect to be released on stated conditions pending the conclusion of investigation and arraignment in court,” Oyewale stated.
According to the EFCC, Malami was granted provisional bail subject to five conditions, none of which he had fulfilled at the time of his re-invitation.
He had requested a deferment on health grounds, citing a letter dated 4 December 2025.
The commission said it compassionately considered his plea but noted that he did not submit medical evidence to substantiate his claim.
He was subsequently invited again on 8 December and detained after failing to satisfy the outstanding conditions.
Malami has also rejected EFCC claims that he operates 46 bank accounts and is linked to recovered funds traced to the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha.
Doka clarified that the former minister maintains only six accounts, all known to the commission.
“The EFCC knows his six bank accounts that are to his name; the allegations of operating forty-six bank accounts are ridiculous and baseless, and for the record, the former minister has no hand in Abacha loot or any other recovery,” he said, challenging the agency to substantiate the claims publicly.
