The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has firmly dismissed claims by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, that his bail was revoked over his alleged attendance at a political gathering in Kebbi State, insisting that the commission remains strictly apolitical in all its operations.
In a detailed response, the anti-graft agency described Malami’s claims as “patently false,” stressing that the issue at hand has nothing to do with politics but everything to do with his failure to meet clearly stated bail conditions.
According to the EFCC, Malami was granted administrative bail after a brief interrogation on November 28, 2025. The commission explained that “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 bail, however, was provisional and tied to five specific conditions, which the former minister acknowledged and signed. The EFCC said Malami “has neither met any of the requirements nor shown readiness to keep faith with them.”
The commission revealed that Malami was expected to return for further interrogation on December 1, 2025, but instead wrote to the EFCC on December 4, citing ill-health and requesting time off. “The Commission compassionately granted his plea even while his bail conditions had not been met,” the statement said.
Despite the concession, the EFCC noted that Malami neither submitted a medical report nor provided “credible proof of ill-health” to justify his absence. His reporting date was consequently shifted from December 1 to December 4, following his request titled “Request for an Adjournment on Grounds of Ill-Health.”
The EFCC stressed that it could not allow such latitude to stall investigations. As a result, Malami was invited again on December 8, 2025, for further questioning and was detained pending the fulfillment of his outstanding bail conditions.
Reacting to claims that it barred Malami from granting media interviews or participating in political activities, the EFCC described such allegations as “untenable” and “ridiculous.”
“Such bogus claims from a former chief law officer of the nation are strange,” the commission stated, adding that “the EFCC has no interest in the political affiliation of its suspects.”
To underscore its position, the agency reiterated that “the Commission is apolitical,” noting that a former governor and senior member of the ruling party was recently arraigned over alleged contract fraud.
The EFCC advised Malami to focus on meeting his bail requirements rather than resorting to media narratives. “The Commission wishes to advise Malami to expend his energy on meeting the five bail conditions he acknowledged and signed on November 28, 2025,” the statement said.
It further urged him to cooperate fully with investigators, warning that “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.”