EFCC dismisses Malami’s claim, says bail conditions must be met

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has maintained that it remains apolitical, dismissing claims by Abubakar Malami, former attorney general of the federation, that his bail was revoked for political reasons.

The anti-graft agency was reacting to Malami’s allegation that he was re-arrested due to his presence at a political gathering in Kebbi state.

Malami is currently under investigation for 18 alleged offences, including money laundering, abuse of office, and terrorism financing.

In a statement issued on Friday, Mohammed Bello Doka, his special assistant on media, claimed that the former AGF had complied with all bail requirements.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Abubakar Malami, SAN did not default on any bail condition. His bail was revoked by the EFCC following his attendance at a political gathering in Kebbi State, not because he failed or refused to comply with any lawful requirement,” he had said.

However, the EFCC countered the claim in a statement released on Saturday, describing it as “false”.

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

“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 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.

“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’.

The commission added that Malami failed to submit any medical report or credible evidence to support his claim of ill-health.

“The EFCC cannot allow the latitude granted the former Minister on his health stand in the way of investigations,” EFCC said.

“On this score, he was invited again on December 8, 2025 for further interrogation and detained until the pending bail conditions are met.

“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. It bears reiterating that the Commission is apolitical. A former governor and ranking member of the ruling party was recently arraigned for alleged contract fraud.

“The Commission wishes to advise Malami to expend his energy on meeting the five bail conditions he acknowledged and signed on November 28, 2025.

“It would also serve his interest to cooperate with his team of interrogators rather than dissipate energy in whipping up sentiments through false claims in the media.”