Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, will continue to remain in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following a ruling by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
Justice Babangida Hassan dismissed Malami’s application for bail, stating that his detention by the anti-graft agency was lawful.
The court held that since there is a provision under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) for detention, the former minister’s custody was properly authorized by a valid remand order issued by the FCT High Court and granted by Justice S.C. Oriji.
“In asking this court to grant bail, it is tantamount to inviting the court to sit as an appellate court over an application made by a court of coordinate jurisdiction, which it has no power to do,” Justice Hassan was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale.
Malami, through his counsel, Mr Sulaiman Hassan (SAN), had argued that his detention was illegal, claiming it arose from an ongoing investigation.
EFCC’s counsel, Mr J.S. Okutepa (SAN), countered that the detention was executed under a valid court order.
The former Attorney-General has been in EFCC custody since December 8 after reportedly failing to meet the conditions for bail set by the commission.
He is currently under investigation for 18 alleged offenses, including abuse of office and terrorism financing.
