Why EFCC is still detaining me – Malami

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has shed light on why he is still being held by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) despite turning himself in to the agency on Monday.

Malami is currently facing questions on a range of issues, including allegations linked to terrorism financing, claims that he operated 46 bank accounts, the appointment of several lawyers in the recovery of the $322.5 million Abacha loot, and how funds from the conditional cash transfer scheme were handled.

According to him, the EFCC has not informed him of any specific wrongdoing. He said he was only told that the commission had withdrawn the administrative bail it earlier granted him, even though he insists he complied fully with all the terms.

In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami said he had now been given fresh bail conditions and was willing to meet them as soon as the EFCC permits him to do so.

READ ALSO:Malami opens up on report linking him to terrorism financing

Earlier, the former minister rejected allegations of terrorism financing and the claim of owning 46 bank accounts, calling them “false, misleading and baseless.”

“We state without equivocation that there is no allegation, investigation or charge of terrorism financing against Abubakar Malami, SAN, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or by any other security, intelligence or law-enforcement agency, whether in Nigeria or abroad.

“Similarly, claims suggesting that Mr Malami operates or controls ‘46 bank accounts’ are entirely fictitious, unsupported by facts, official records or lawful findings, and merely form part of a coordinated media trial aimed at character assassination.”

Doka noted that Malami had never been interrogated on terrorism financing or on the purported multiple bank accounts.

“Even the retired military officer cited in recent reports explicitly clarified that he never accused Mr Malami of financing terrorism, a crucial clarification that was irresponsibly overshadowed by sensational headlines and mischievous framing,” he added.

He also referenced Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General, highlighting reforms he said contributed to strengthening Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems.

“During his tenure as Attorney-General, he played a leading role in strengthening Nigeria’s AML/CFT framework, including the establishment of an independent NFIU; the enactment of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. These reforms were instrumental to Nigeria’s eventual removal from the FATF grey list,” Doka stated.

Addressing accusations about hiring multiple lawyers for the Abacha loot recovery, Doka explained that the Buhari-led government had rejected the initial proposal from Swiss lawyer Enrico Monfrini, who was said to have requested a $5 million upfront payment and up to 40 percent in success fees. He said Malami instead secured a 5 percent all-inclusive fee with Nigerian lawyers, saving the country between ₦76.8 billion and ₦179.2 billion based on exchange rates at the time.

He further clarified that the repatriated funds were released in stages and spent strictly under agreements with international partners. He cited the $322 million from Switzerland disbursed through the National Social Investment Programme under World Bank and CSO supervision, as well as the $321 million from Jersey in 2020 used for major infrastructure, including the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Abuja–Kano Road and the Second Niger Bridge.

Malami, who held office from 2015 to 2023, had acknowledged on Facebook that he received an invitation from the EFCC on November 28 and pledged to respond as “a law-abiding and patriotic citizen.”

The EFCC has maintained that his bail was revoked because he failed to meet the conditions and confirmed he is being detained in connection with several ongoing probes.