The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, into custody over allegations of terrorism financing and other financial crimes.
Malami reportedly failed to meet the bail conditions previously granted to him, prompting the anti-graft agency to detain him.
A source from the EFCC confirmed the development, stating that Malami remained in custody as of 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday due to his inability to fulfill the bail requirements.
Detention Linked to Terror Financing and Abacha Loot
The EFCC source said: ”We have detained him over terrorism financing and the whereabouts of Abacha loot recovered from Switzerland and the Island of Jersey in the UK.”
He added: ”He would remain in custody until he fulfils the requirements.”
Failure to Meet Bail Conditions
The commission explained the detention was also due to non-compliance with bail terms.
“We arrested him for not meeting his bail conditions, and he will remain in our custody until he meets those conditions,” the EFCC source said.
”He is presently in our custody. He was initially granted bail but did not meet the conditions. The offences against him are many,” the source added.
Investigations Cover 18 Alleged Offences
Authorities revealed that Malami is under investigation for 18 different offences.
”Presently, we are investigating him for 18 different offences. Some of them are money laundering, abuse of office and terrorism financing,” the EFCC source stated. ”We cannot put a figure to the amount involved now because we keep uncovering some of the deals as we investigate,” he added.
Daily Interrogation Orders
The EFCC has instructed Malami to appear daily for questioning throughout December as part of the ongoing probe into the recovered Abacha loot and other financial dealings.
Malami Denies Wrongdoing
In response to the allegations, Malami insisted that claims against him were “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.
He further stated, ”During my tenure as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, I worked with other arms of government and relevant institutions to strengthen—not weaken—Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework against money laundering and the financing of terrorism,” he added.
The EFCC’s ongoing investigation continues as authorities work to clarify Malami’s involvement in the handling of recovered Abacha funds and related financial matters.
