FCT Court Grants Bail to Ex-AGF Malami Amid Dispute With EFCC
ABUJA – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Tuesday granted bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who has been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of money laundering and suspicious wealth accumulation.
Judge Bello Kawu approved Malami’s bail under the same conditions previously set by the EFCC. However, controversy arose after the anti-graft agency reportedly refused to release him despite the court order.
Malami’s media aide, Mohammed Doka, said in a statement on Wednesday that EFCC officials rejected the bail order, refused to accept the court-backed letter, and insisted on keeping Malami in detention, describing the move as defiance of the law. The statement also criticised EFCC for prolonged detention without arraignment and accused the agency of conducting a “media trial.”
The dispute centers on whether Malami fulfilled the bail conditions initially set by the EFCC on 28 November. Malami’s legal team argued that he met the conditions, which included submitting his passport and presenting bail bonds from his sureties, and applied to the FCT High Court for bail on the same terms. The court granted the request, citing “exceptional hardship” and ordering his release pending further proceedings.
The EFCC, however, maintains that Malami did not meet the five conditions of his administrative bail and therefore continued his detention. According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Malami had been invited for further interrogation on 8 December after allegedly failing to meet the bail requirements.
Malami has remained in custody despite the court’s order. His legal team called on the judiciary and oversight bodies to ensure compliance with the court ruling, warning that EFCC’s actions could set a dangerous precedent for rule of law and due process in Nigeria.
The ex-AGF faces 16 charges related to money laundering, concealment, and unlawful acquisition of proceeds from illegal activity. The allegations involve his tenure as AGF from 2015 to 2023 and reportedly include his son and an associate. EFCC investigations have traced 41 properties linked to Malami across Kebbi, Kano, and Abuja, with an estimated combined value of N212.89 billion, encompassing hotels, schools, factories, and residential properties.
Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has consistently denied any wrongdoing and is challenging the charges in court. He was first detained on 8 December in connection with a multi-billion naira money laundering investigation.
A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Malami recently joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and has announced plans to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kebbi State.
