JUST IN: Court Throws Out Malami’s Bail Application

An Abuja court has dismissed a bail application filed by Abubakar Malami, SAN, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, challenging his detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the anti-graft agency has confirmed.

The EFCC disclosed the development in a circular issued on Thursday through its verified social media platforms, stating that Justice Babangida Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory Court in Abuja declined Malami’s summons seeking bail. According to the commission, the ruling followed proceedings before the court, which rejected the application. The EFCC did not disclose the specific grounds for the decision but maintained that the bail request was dismissed.

The case adds to ongoing legal and investigative actions involving Malami, who has been under scrutiny by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies. Multiple petitions submitted to the EFCC have accused him of involvement in an alleged $16.9 million legal fees scam linked to the recovery of funds associated with the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha. The allegations also include claims of money laundering, abuse of office, and accumulation of assets allegedly beyond his legitimate earnings.

Court documents and petitions indicate that these allegations form the basis of an application filed by the EFCC before the High Court of the FCT, Abuja, seeking an order to remand Malami and one of his associates, Temitope Isaac Adebayo, in EFCC custody for 14 days pending further investigation. In an ex parte motion supported by an affidavit deposed to by an EFCC investigator, the commission said it received petitions from organisations including the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, Karlos Community Development and Empowerment Initiative, and Grassroot Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance.

The EFCC’s preliminary findings allege that while serving as the nation’s chief law officer, Malami authorised and facilitated the payment of $16.9 million in legal fees to two individuals described as “new lawyers” for the recovery of Abacha-linked funds. The petitions claim the services had already been rendered by foreign legal counsel previously engaged and fully paid by the Federal Government, making the additional payments unnecessary and fraudulent.

Malami has, however, alleged that EFCC operatives conducted coordinated raids on his offices and private residences shortly after his camp referenced Chapter 9 of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report. In a press release issued on Wednesday and signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami’s office said the EFCC’s actions occurred immediately after the release of a statement addressing the Salami Report.