The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has insisted that former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), remains in custody because he has failed to meet the conditions attached to his administrative bail.
The anti-graft agency dismissed claims by Malami and his aides that his bail was revoked over his participation in a political gathering in Kebbi State, describing the allegation as false and misleading.
Malami, who served as Nigeria’s chief law officer under the immediate past administration, is currently being investigated for 18 alleged offences bordering on money laundering, abuse of office and terrorism financing.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the EFCC clarified that the former AGF was granted provisional administrative bail after a brief interrogation on November 28, 2025, but said the bail was subject to five clearly stated conditions.
According to the Commission, Malami has neither fulfilled any of the requirements nor demonstrated readiness to comply with them.
“Administrative bail is a discretionary temporary reprieve that allows a suspect to be released on stated conditions pending the conclusion of investigations and arraignment in court,” the EFCC said.
“To this effect, after his interrogation on November 28, 2025, Malami was offered provisional bail hinged on five requirements. He has neither met any of these requirements nor shown readiness to keep faith with them.”
The Commission further disclosed that Malami was scheduled to return for further interrogation on December 1, 2025, but wrote to the agency on December 4, requesting an adjournment on grounds of ill-health.
It said the request was granted on compassionate grounds, even though the bail conditions remained unmet.
“He was initially required to resume reporting for investigations on December 1, 2025, but this was deferred largely owing to his request for adjournment on grounds of ill-health,” the statement added.
However, the EFCC said Malami failed to provide any medical report or credible proof to substantiate his health claims.
“The Commission cannot allow the latitude granted to the former minister on health grounds to stand in the way of investigations,” it said.
The anti-graft agency noted that Malami was subsequently invited again on December 8, 2025, for further interrogation and was detained pending the fulfilment of the outstanding bail conditions.
Reacting to claims by Malami’s media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, that the former AGF did not default on any bail requirement, the EFCC described such assertions as “untenable” and “ridiculous”.
“It is equally ridiculous to insinuate that the Commission barred him from granting media interviews or from participating in political activities in Kebbi State,” the EFCC said.
“The Commission has no interest in the political affiliation of its suspects and is strictly apolitical.”
The agency cited the recent arraignment of a former governor and ranking member of the ruling party as evidence of its non-partisan stance.
The EFCC advised Malami to focus on meeting the bail conditions he voluntarily acknowledged and signed, rather than resorting to what it described as attempts to whip up public sentiment through false narratives.
“It would serve his interest to cooperate fully with investigators instead of dissipating energy in the media,” the statement concluded.
The development comes amid growing public attention over the probe of high-profile former public officials as the EFCC intensifies its anti-corruption drive.
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