The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has given a detailed explanation on why former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), remains in its custody.
The anti-graft agency dismissed claims that Malami’s detention has anything to do with politics or his presence at a recent gathering in Kebbi State.
It said his continued detention is strictly linked to his failure to meet bail conditions earlier granted to him.
In a statement issued on Saturday, EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said Malami was granted administrative bail on November 28, 2025, after a brief interrogation.
The bail, according to the commission, was temporary and clearly tied to specific conditions.
“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.”
Oyewale explained that Malami was expected to resume for further questioning on December 1, 2025.
However, the former minister requested a postponement, citing health challenges in a letter dated December 4.
The commission said it granted the request despite the fact that Malami had not fulfilled any of the bail conditions attached to his release.
“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 EFCC further disclosed that Malami failed to provide any medical report or verifiable evidence to back his health claims. As a result, his reporting date was adjusted from December 1 to December 4 to accommodate him.
According to the commission, Malami was later invited again on December 8 for continued interrogation. He was subsequently detained due to his non-compliance with the outstanding bail terms.
“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 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 described Malami’s claim that his bail was revoked as false. He also rejected allegations that the EFCC barred him from speaking to the media or engaging 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 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 commission advised Malami to comply with the bail conditions he signed and cooperate fully with investigators to allow the process to move forward.
Malami has remained in EFCC custody since Monday over his failure to meet the agreed bail requirements.
He is currently under investigation for multiple alleged offences, including abuse of office and terrorism financing.
Meanwhile, POLITICS NIGERIA previously reported that the African Democratic Congress has accused the EFCC of politicising the matter, claiming that the former minister’s detention is politically motivated.
