The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has detained a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), over his failure to meet the bail conditions granted him by the anti graft agency.
The commission dismissed claims that Malami’s bail was revoked because of his alleged attendance at a political gathering in Kebbi State, insisting that his continued detention was purely a result of non compliance with the conditions attached to his administrative bail.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the commission explained that Malami was granted administrative bail after a brief interrogation on November 28, 2025, pending the conclusion of investigations and possible arraignment in court.
Oyewale said the bail was provisional and subject to five specific conditions, none of which the former minister had fulfilled.
“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. After his brief interrogation on November 28, 2025, Malami was offered provisional bail hinged on five requirements. He has neither met any of the requirements nor shown readiness to keep faith with them,” Oyewale said.
According to the commission, Malami was expected to return for further interrogation on December 1, 2025, but requested a postponement in a letter dated December 4, citing ill health.
Oyewale stated that the EFCC granted the request out of compassion, despite the fact that the bail conditions had not been met at the time.
“He was due back for further interrogation on December 1, 2025, but in a curious twist, the former minister pleaded with his investigators through a letter written to the commission on December 4, 2025, to allow him to attend to his ill health. The commission compassionately granted his plea even while his bail conditions had not been met,” he said.
The EFCC added that Malami neither submitted a medical report nor provided any credible proof of ill health to support his request, noting that his reporting date was only deferred to accommodate him.
The spokesperson further disclosed that Malami was invited again on December 8, 2025, for further interrogation and was subsequently detained pending compliance with the outstanding bail conditions.
“The EFCC cannot allow the latitude granted the former minister on his health stand in the way of investigations. On this score, he was invited again on December 8, 2025, for further interrogation and detained until the pending bail conditions are met,” Oyewale stated.
He described as false and untenable Malami’s claim that his bail was revoked, also dismissing allegations that the commission barred him from granting media interviews or participating in political activities.
“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 are strange, as the EFCC has no interest in the political affiliation of its suspects,” Oyewale said.
The commission advised Malami to comply fully with the bail conditions he acknowledged and signed on November 28, 2025, and to cooperate with investigators to enable the probe to progress.
Malami has remained in detention since Monday after failing to meet the conditions set by the anti graft agency. He is being investigated over multiple allegations, including abuse of office and terrorism financing.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress has accused the EFCC of politicising the matter, an allegation the commission has firmly rejected.
