The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Thursday declined to grant bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Malami had approached the court seeking bail, challenging his continued detention by the anti-graft agency. However, in his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Babangida Hassan, held that the former minister’s detention was lawful and supported by a valid court order.
The EFCC is investigating Malami over allegations of money laundering and abuse of office. The anti-graft agency had earlier invited him for questioning on November 28.
Following his invitation, reports surfaced that Malami’s international passport was seized in connection with an ongoing probe into the whereabouts of an alleged $490 million Abacha loot, which was recovered by the immediate past administration through a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) request.
Malami has since remained in EFCC custody.
The former Attorney-General has, however, denied all allegations against him, describing them as “baseless, illogical and wholly devoid of substance.”
According to Malami, the recovery of the funds in question had already been concluded before he assumed office in 2015. He claimed that a Swiss lawyer, Mr. Enrico Monfrini, had completed the recovery process prior to his tenure as Nigeria’s chief law officer.
The case remains under investigation as legal proceedings continue.