The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), after he failed to meet the bail conditions granted to him.
A source within the commission confirmed that Malami remained in EFCC custody as of 10 p.m. on Tuesday, noting that the former minister must fulfil the bail requirements before he can be released.
The source said Malami is being investigated over multiple allegations, including money laundering, terrorism financing, abuse of office and issues relating to the management of recovered Abacha loot from Switzerland and the Island of Jersey in the UK.
“We have detained him over terrorism financing and the whereabouts of Abacha loot recovered from Switzerland and Jersey,” the source said. “He will remain in our custody until he meets the bail conditions. The offences against him are many.”
According to the EFCC, Malami is currently being investigated for 18 different offences. The source added that investigators were still uncovering new financial dealings, making it difficult to determine the total amount involved.
The commission has directed the former minister to appear daily for questioning throughout December as part of the ongoing probe.
Malami, however, has denied all allegations, describing them as fabricated.
“For the avoidance of doubt, my public record in office stands in direct contradiction to any insinuation of complicity in terrorism financing,” he said. “During my tenure as Attorney-General, I worked with other arms of government to strengthen— not weaken—Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework against money laundering and the financing of terrorism.”