Former Minister Spends Third Night In EFCC Custody.

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, is now set to remain in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, facility for a third consecutive night after failing to meet the bail conditions imposed by investigators.

Malami is being questioned by the EFCC over allegations linking him to terrorism financing and claims that he managed 46 bank accounts. He has, however, rejected the accusations, describing them as politically motivated fabrications aimed at damaging his public image.

The bail terms include the seizure of his international passport, effectively restricting him from travelling outside Nigeria, and a requirement that he reports to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for interrogation over a set period, initially fixed at 30 days. He must also provide two serving permanent secretaries as sureties, in addition to other conditions listed by investigators.

His response to the allegations was contained in a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Mohammed Doka, who insisted that the accusations circulating on various platforms were false, misleading and unsupported by any official record.

Doka maintained that Malami had never been investigated for terrorism financing by the EFCC or any security or intelligence agency within or outside the country. He said, “We state without equivocation that there is no allegation, investigation or charge of terrorism financing against Malami, SAN, by the EFCC or by any other security, intelligence or law-enforcement agency, whether in Nigeria or abroad.”

He added that claims insinuating that the former minister operated 46 bank accounts were nothing more than sensational fabrications being pushed by certain media outlets rather than any verified findings.

“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.

“At no time has Mr. Malami been questioned, investigated or confronted with issues relating to terrorism financing or any alleged multiple bank accounts. Even the retired military officer cited in recent reports explicitly clarified that he never accused Mr Malami of financing terrorism.”

He also argued that Malami’s work as Attorney-General contradicts the allegations, noting that he played a key role in strengthening Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems, including pushing for the establishment of an autonomous Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

Doka urged Nigerians to ignore what he described as fabricated claims and sensational reporting targeted at undermining Malami’s integrity.

“We urge Nigerians of goodwill to disregard the concocted allegations, sensational reporting and ongoing media trial designed to malign the person and record of Malami, SAN.

“We sincerely thank all right-thinking Nigerians for their concern, prayers, support and steadfast confidence. Your messages of encouragement reaffirm our belief that truth, law and reason will always prevail.

“We remain confident that Malami, SAN, will emerge stronger and better, and that together, we shall triumph against all forms of political witch-hunt, misinformation and intimidation,” he added.