EFCC's Refusal to Free Me Despite Court Order Amounts to Unconstitutional Oppression—Malami Cries Out

EFCC's Refusal to Free Me Despite Court Order Amounts to Unconstitutional Oppression—Malami Cries Out Former Attorney-General of the Fed...

EFCC's Refusal to Free Me Despite Court Order Amounts to Unconstitutional Oppression—Malami Cries Out

Former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), remains in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) despite a court order granting him bail on December 23, 2025, sparking accusations of institutional lawlessness and defiance of judicial authority.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami alleged that EFCC officials refused to accept bail documents, turned away a court bailiff, and continued his detention beyond a 14-day remand order that expired on December 23. The former AGF, detained since December 8, 2025, described the actions as "blatant defiance of the law," unconstitutional oppression, and a "media trial" through selective leaks aimed at prejudicing public opinion.

Malami's team insists he voluntarily submitted to investigation, fulfilled prior administrative bail conditions, and met those set by the FCT High Court (presided over by Justice Bello Kawu in Motion No. M/17220/2025). They warn that such conduct by a statutory body risks eroding democracy and public trust in the justice system, calling on the judiciary and oversight institutions to intervene.

The EFCC has countered these claims vigorously. Lead counsel J.S. Okutepa (SAN) stated that no bail order has been formally served on the commission or his firm. He emphasized that Malami's detention is pursuant to valid, subsisting remand orders from December 10 and 18, 2025 (by Justices S.C. Oriji and Babangida Hassan), which have not been vacated. Okutepa described Malami's application for bail before another court as an "abuse of judicial process," noting the EFCC successfully opposed an earlier bail summons.

The underlying probe involves serious allegations: 16 counts of money laundering filed by the EFCC, accusing Malami, his son, and an associate of concealing billions in illicit funds through property acquisitions and transactions between 2015 and 2025. Reports indicate assets worth over ₦200 billion have been traced to him, alongside queries into recovered Abacha loots and other financial irregularities during his tenure (2015–2023).

The case has adjourned to January 2026 for further hearing. As of December 25, Malami remains in EFCC custody, with no official comment from the commission's spokesperson on the latest allegations. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between anty-graft agencies and high-profile suspects, raising questions about compliance with court orders and the balance between investigation powers and individual rights under Nigeria's Constitution.

Public reactions on social media have been mixed, with some viewing the standoff as ironic given Malami's past role in government decisions that disregarded certain judicial rulings mostly on Nnamdi Kanu the Indigenous people of Biafra leader’s case.