The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the detention of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, citing his failure to comply with the conditions of his administrative bail. The anti-graft agency vehemently denied claims of political persecution, asserting its apolitical stance and strict adherence to legal procedures.

According to the EFCC, Malami was initially granted provisional administrative bail on November 28, 2025, following an interrogation, pending the conclusion of investigations and potential arraignment. This bail was contingent upon five specific requirements, none of which, the Commission states, have been met by the former minister. The EFCC clarified that administrative bail is a discretionary, temporary reprieve allowing a suspect's release under stated conditions, pending investigation and arraignment.

Malami was originally scheduled for further interrogation on December 1, 2025. He subsequently requested an adjournment on December 4, 2025, citing ill-health. The EFCC granted this request on compassionate grounds, despite the outstanding bail conditions. However, the Commission noted that Malami failed to provide any medical report or credible proof to substantiate his claims of ill-health and justify the repeated delays. Consequently, Malami was re-invited on December 8, 2025, for further questioning and detained for failing to fulfil his bail conditions.

The EFCC dismissed Malami's assertions that his bail was revoked due to his attendance at a political gathering in Kebbi State, labelling such claims as untenable and ridiculous. The agency denied barring him from granting media interviews or participating in political activities, emphasizing that it holds no interest in the political affiliations of its suspects. To underscore its neutrality, the EFCC highlighted a recent arraignment of a former governor and ranking member of the ruling party for alleged contract fraud. The Commission advised Malami to focus on meeting the bail conditions he acknowledged and signed on November 28, 2025, rather than engaging in “whipping up sentiments through false claims in the media.”

In response to the EFCC's allegations, Abubakar Malami, through his media aide Bello Doka, refuted claims of operating 46 bank accounts and any links to recovered funds traced to the late military ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha. Doka stated that Malami maintains only six bank accounts, all known to the anti-graft agency, and described the allegations of operating 46 unlawful accounts as