MALAMI'S DOWNFALL: ₦212 Billion Naira Properties, Missing $322M & Terrorism Links – The LOOT That Shakes Nigeria!

MALAMI'S DOWNFALL: ₦212 Billion Naira Properties, Missing $322M & Terrorism Links – The LOOT That Shakes Nigeria! In the intricate w...

MALAMI'S DOWNFALL: ₦212 Billion Naira Properties, Missing $322M & Terrorism Links – The LOOT That Shakes Nigeria!

In the intricate web of Nigerian politics and anti-corruption efforts, few figures have drawn as much scrutiny as Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice under President Muhammadu Buhari's administration from 2015 to 2023. Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was once hailed for his role in repatriating looted funds from the era of late military head of state General Sani Abacha. However, in a dramatic turn of events, he now faces serious allegations of corruption tied to those very recoveries, culminating in his detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since December 2025. This expository article delves into the background of the "Malami loot" scandal referring to the disputed handling of recovered Abacha assets under his watch and examines the circumstances surrounding his continued detention, shedding light on the complexities of accountability in Nigeria's fight against graft.

Background: The Abacha Loot and Nigeria's Recovery Efforts

General Sani Abacha, who ruled Nigeria from 1993 to 1998, is infamous for presiding over one of the most corrupt regimes in the country's history, with estimates suggesting he looted between $3 billion and $5 billion from state coffers. Over the past two decades, successive Nigerian governments have pursued the repatriation of these funds stashed in foreign jurisdictions, including Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the Island of Jersey. By 2022, Nigeria had recovered approximately $3.65 billion in Abacha loot through international agreements and legal battles.

Abubakar Malami played a central role in these efforts during his tenure as AGF. In 2018, for instance, Nigeria secured the return of $321 million from Switzerland, part of a broader agreement facilitated by Malami's office. Another significant recovery involved $322.5 million (initially reported as $310 million) from various sources, including funds linked to Abacha's associates. Malami's involvement included negotiating repatriation deals and overseeing the distribution of these assets, such as through conditional cash transfers to vulnerable Nigerians. At the time, these actions were portrayed as victories in the anti-corruption war, aligning with the Buhari administration's agenda.

However, controversies soon emerged. In 2016, Malami hired two lawyers to recover Abacha loot for a fee of $17 million, despite the repatriation process being nearly complete through existing channels. This decision raised eyebrows, with critics labeling it as unnecessary and potentially a means to siphon funds. By 2018, further questions arose over a $16.9 million payment request to lawyers associated with Malami for their role in the $321 million recovery. These incidents laid the groundwork for what would later be dubbed the "Malami loot" scandal, shifting the narrative from recovery hero to accused enabler of "re-looting."

The Allegations: Duplication, Misappropriation, and Personal Enrichment

The core of the scandal revolves around accusations that Malami duplicated recovery processes for Abacha funds, leading to inflated costs and unaccounted assets. The EFCC alleges that Malami orchestrated a redundant effort to recover $310 million (which accrued to $322.5 million), despite prior arrangements, resulting in excessive legal fees and potential misdirection of funds. Malami has vehemently denied these claims, describing the EFCC's probe as "baseless and illogical," and insisting that all recoveries were transparent and in line with international agreements.

Beyond the duplication issue, the EFCC has uncovered evidence of broader corruption. Investigators have traced 41 properties worth over N212 billion to Malami, including high-value real estate allegedly acquired through illicit means. Additionally, Malami is being questioned about a 10-billion-naira investment in his home state of Kebbi, the whereabouts of the $322 million Abacha loot, and links to terrorism financing a particularly grave allegation tying recovered funds to suspicious activities. These probes extend to a $16.9 million legal fees scam connected to the Abacha recoveries.

On December 24, 2025, the federal government escalated the matter by filing 16-count charges against Malami, his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Abdulrahman Musa Basheer. The charges include money laundering, unlawful property acquisition, and conspiracy, with specific counts alleging the use of companies like Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd. to launder funds between 2022 and 2023. Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has publicly supported the charges, claiming Malami built a "vast network of corruption" during his tenure, including interference in other investigations to protect allies.

The Detention: Timeline and Legal Battles

Malami's troubles intensified in late November 2025 when the EFCC seized his international passport and imposed a one-month restriction on his movements as part of the $490 million Abacha loot probe. By December 8, 2025, he was formally detained at an EFCC facility in Abuja, initially over the Abacha loot duplication and terrorism financing allegations. The detention was justified by a court order allowing the EFCC to hold him for up to 14 days for investigation.

However, as of December 24, 2025, Malami remains in custody, now exceeding 14 days, prompting accusations of unlawful prolonged detention. A High Court in Abuja granted him interim bail on December 23, 2025, setting a hearing for January 5, 2026, but the EFCC has reportedly defied the order, citing plans for his arraignment. Malami's legal team has decried this as a "media trial" and abuse of power, arguing that the commission is breaching legal procedures by not releasing him or charging him promptly. The EFCC, for its part, maintains that the detention is lawful and necessary to prevent interference with ongoing investigations.

This standoff highlights broader tensions between Nigeria's anty-corruption agencies and powerful political figures. Malami's aide has emphasized that his continued detention violates court directives, while critics like Omoyele Sowore (as referenced by Adeyanju) have long accused him of systemic corruption.

Implications and Broader Context

The Malami case underscores the challenges in Nigeria's anti-corruption framework, where those tasked with recovering looted assets can themselves become suspects. It raises questions about oversight in repatriation processes, the role of legal fees in incentivizing corruption, and the politicization of probesespecially given Malami's past conflicts with the EFCC during his time in office. As the EFCC prepares for arraignment, the outcome could set precedents for holding high-profile officials accountable.

While Malami maintains his innocence, insisting the allegations stem from misunderstandings of complex international recoveries, the scandal serves as a cautionary tale in the ongoing battle against graft. With a court hearing slated for early 2026, the "Malami loot" saga continues to unfold, potentially reshaping perceptions of justice in Nigeria's political landscape.