A northern interest group, Arewa for Good Governance, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to comply with a court order granting bail to the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
The trial judge, Justice Bello Kawu, had on Dec. 23 granted bail to Malami, who is currently in the custody of the EFCC over allegations of money laundering and suspicious accumulation of wealth.
The President of the group, Mr Yusuf Abdullahi, made the call in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, urging the EFCC Chairman, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, to demonstrate professionalism by obeying the court order.
Abdullahi recalled that Malami had been in EFCC custody since Dec. 8, 2025, following an invitation by the commission.
According to him, the EFCC has neither released Malami since the bail was granted nor adequately briefed the public on the outcome of his detention.
“Earlier, the EFCC approached the Federal High Court in Abuja and obtained a two-week detention order to continue investigations, which it complied with.
“However, the same EFCC is now refusing to obey a valid court order granting bail to the former minister,” Abdullahi said.
It would be recalled that Justice S.C. Oriji of the FCT High Court had on Dec. 10 ordered Malami’s remand in EFCC custody for 14 days pending the conclusion of investigations.
Despite the remand order, Malami’s legal team filed an ex parte bail application before Justice Bello Kawu, who subsequently granted him bail on Dec. 23 on the grounds that his continued detention was no longer lawful.
The EFCC has filed 16 counts against Malami, his son, Abubakar Malami, and one Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd.
The charges border on money laundering, concealment and unlawful acquisition of proceeds of illegal activities.