Court Rejects Abubakar Malami’s Bail Application from EFCC Custody

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, seeking bail from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The court ruled that Malami’s detention was lawful, citing a valid remand order issued by a court of coordinate jurisdiction. As a result, the bail application against the anti-graft agency was struck out.

According to the EFCC, Malami approached the court through his legal counsel, arguing that his detention in connection with an ongoing investigation was unlawful. The Commission opposed the application, maintaining that he was being held under a properly issued remand order and that his detention complied with constitutional and statutory provisions.

In delivering the ruling, the judge held that granting the application would amount to reviewing the decision of another court of equal standing, which the court lacked the jurisdiction to do. The court also affirmed that the detention was part of a lawful investigative process.

Malami is currently under investigation for multiple alleged offences, including money laundering and abuse of office. The EFCC has said he was previously offered administrative bail, subject to specific conditions, which he failed to meet, prompting further detention.

The former justice minister has denied wrongdoing, describing some of the allegations against him as false and misleading, while investigations by the anti-graft agency continue.