By RismadarVoice Media
December 13, 2025
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the detention of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, over his alleged failure to meet the conditions attached to the administrative bail earlier granted to him.
The anti-graft agency, in a statement issued on Saturday, December 13 dismissed claims of political persecution, describing them as false and misleading.
According to the EFCC, it was compelled to clarify the situation following Malami’s public claim that his bail was revoked because of his attendance at a political gathering in Kebbi State. The Commission insisted that it is apolitical, guided strictly by the law.
The EFCC disclosed that Malami was granted provisional administrative bail after a brief interrogation on November 28, 2025, pending the conclusion of investigations and possible arraignment.
However, the bail was subject to five clearly stated conditions, none of which, the Commission said, had been fulfilled by the former minister.
“Administrative bail is a discretionary temporary reprieve that allows a suspect to be released on stated conditions pending the conclusion of investigation and arraignment in court,” the EFCC stated, adding that Malami “has neither met any of the requirements nor shown readiness to keep faith with them.”
The Commission further revealed that Malami was scheduled to return for further interrogation on December 1, 2025, he however wrote to the EFCC on December 4, citing ill-health and requesting permission to attend to medical issues.
The agency said it granted the request on compassionate grounds, despite the bail conditions remaining outstanding.
However, it noted that Malami neither submitted a medical report nor provided any credible proof of ill-health to justify the repeated delays.
“He was initially required to commence reporting for further investigations on December 1, 2025, this had to be deferred to December 4, 2025, largely owing to his request for an adjournment on grounds of ill-health. He neither provided a medical report nor credible proof of ill-health to the Commission,” the statement said.
The EFCC said it could not allow the latitude granted to the former minister to stall investigations, indefinitely.
Consequently, Malami was invited again on December 8, 2025, for further interrogation, was detained pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.
Dismissing Malami’s claim that his bail was revoked, the Commission described as untenable, ridiculous allegations that it barred him from granting media interviews or participating in political activities in Kebbi State.
“Evidently, the former minister’s claims of revocation of bail by the EFCC are untenable. It is equally ridiculous to insinuate that the Commission barred him from granting media interviews or from participating in political activities in Kebbi State. Such claims from a former chief law officer of the nation are strange, as the EFCC has no interest in the political affiliation of its suspects,” the agency stated.
To underscore its position, the EFCC noted that a former governor and ranking member of the ruling party was recently arraigned over alleged contract fraud, stressing that the Commission remains non-partisan.
The EFCC advised Malami to focus on complying with the bail conditions he acknowledged and signed on November 28, 2025, rather than “whipping up sentiments through false claims in the media.”
“The Commission advises Malami to expend his energy on meeting the five bail conditions he acknowledged and signed. It would also serve his interest to cooperate with his interrogators rather than dissipate energy in whipping up sentiments through false claims in the media,” the EFCC added.
