ADC, EFCC trade tackles over Malami’s detention

Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami

Kindly share this story:

The African Democratic Congress has warned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against politicising its anti-graft war, saying that doing so amounts to corruption.

The party faulted the revocation of the bail earlier granted to the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, by the EFCC, questioning the political neutrality of the agency.

However, the EFCC said Malami’s detention was not political, explaining that the former minister has yet to meet a new bail condition.

According to the EFCC, Malami was granted administrative bail after a brief interrogation on November 28, 2025, pending the conclusion of investigations and possible arraignment in court.

A statement on Saturday by EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said the bail was provisional and subject to five conditions, none of which Malami has met.

“Administrative bail is a discretionary temporary reprieve that allows a suspect to be released on stated conditions pending conclusion of the investigation and arraignment in court. To this effect, 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,” he said.

Malami has been in EFCC custody for over six days as the anti-graft agency continues to investigate an alleged fraud related to the Abacha loot.

However, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said there was no evidence to show that Malami breached any of the conditions attached to his bail.

Abdullahi said withdrawing Malami’s bail, particularly after his appearance at a political rally in his home state of Kebbi, could give the unavoidable impression that the move was aimed at limiting his political activities rather than serving the cause of justice.

The statement read in part, “The ADC views Malami’s bail revocation by the EFCC as politically motivated. From all available evidence, Malami did not violate any of the legal conditions attached to his initial bail. As a senior lawyer and former number one law officer in the country, he understands what it means to violate bail conditions.

“However, what he probably did not understand was that attending a political gathering in furtherance of his governorship ambition in his home state of Kebbi could be the basis for revoking his bail by the EFCC, even though he has cooperated fully with the agency’s investigators.

“For the avoidance of doubt, ADC regards corruption as one of the most dangerous threats to the very survival of our country. Therefore, we fully support any genuine efforts to hold public officers accountable. However, we are deeply concerned that some of the actions and inactions of the EFCC give the impression that the agency is a gladiator in the political arena rather than an impartial warrior against financial malpractice.

“Revoking Malami’s bail only after he had attended a political event makes one question the EFCC’s motive and wonder on which side of the political divide the agency is fighting, and whether it is not violating the very same laws it purports to defend.”

The ADC warned that by restricting a citizen’s political engagement, the EFCC would be assuming powers not granted to it under the Constitution.

“No agency of government has the power to suspend political rights, redraw political boundaries, or determine where a citizen’s political interest may or may not be exercised. That this restriction applied only to Kebbi State leaves one with an inescapable conclusion that the EFCC’s real agenda is to cripple his political ambition in the state.

“Once again, ADC is unwaveringly committed to the fight against corruption, but we insist that politicising the fight against corruption is itself a major form of corruption. We would like to call the EFCC’s attention to the Afrobarometer survey data on corruption in Nigeria that was released earlier in the year. The report rated the Presidency (the President and officials) as the third most corrupt public institution in the country, coming closely behind the police and the National Assembly, respectively.

“ADC believes that reports such as this provide an opportunity for the EFCC to understand the magnitude of its task and reset its priorities, if it is truly committed to the fight against corruption.

“The ADC stands with Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN, who we believe is innocent of the charges against him until declared guilty by a competent court. More importantly, we demand his immediate release on bail, without the attached conditions that stifle his political rights.”

However, Oyewale faulted ADC’s claim, saying EFCC was fair in Malami’s case.

Oyewale said Malami was scheduled to return for further interrogation on December 1, 2025, but requested a postponement in a letter dated December 4, citing ill-health.

He said the commission granted the request despite the fact that the bail conditions had not been fulfilled.

“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,” Oyewale said.

The anti-graft agency stated that the former minister neither provided a medical report nor credible proof of ill-health to support his request, adding that his reporting date was deferred from December 1 to December 4 to accommodate the request.

According to the EFCC’s spokesman, Malami was invited again on December 8, 2025, for further interrogation and was detained pending compliance with the outstanding bail conditions.

He said: “He was initially required to commence reporting for further investigations on December 1, 2025, but 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 EFCC cannot allow the latitude granted the former Minister on his health to 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.”

He described as false Malami’s claim that his bail was revoked and dismissed allegations that he was barred from granting media interviews or participating in political activities.

Oyewale said: “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 and from participating in political activities in Kebbi State.’ Such bogus 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 EFCC advised the former minister to comply with the bail conditions he acknowledged and signed on November 28, 2025, and to cooperate fully with investigators.

Kindly share this story:

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]

UPDATE NEWS: Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25Million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, 👉 click here to find out how it work (Be sure to ask for evidence of clients that have benefitted from this)

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.