By Our Correspondent
Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, was detained overnight by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as part of an investigation into 46 bank accounts allegedly linked to him.
Sources say Malami was taken into custody after arriving late for a scheduled interrogation. The questioning continued late into the night, leading to his temporary detention until bail arrangements could be made.
The EFCC is examining financial transactions from his time as AGF, including several payments, asset sales, and compensations that have previously raised controversy. The investigation also looks at legal fees and recovered funds from previous administrations, focusing on potential duplication and traceability issues.
This is not the first time Malami has been summoned by the EFCC. He was initially questioned on November 28, 2025, and released after a preliminary interrogation but was asked to return for further questioning. His international passport has been seized, preventing him from traveling abroad.
Malami has denied any wrongdoing and says the transactions under review were legitimate. He has expressed willingness to cooperate with investigators.
The EFCC investigation goes beyond the 46 bank accounts and includes high-value payouts made during his tenure, management of recovered assets, and sales of forfeited properties, with transparency and compliance as key concerns.
Authorities have not provided a timeline for the investigation or potential charges, but the matter is being treated seriously due to the profile of the individual and the amounts involved.
