Ex-Attorney-General Abubakar Malami is detained by EFCC over money laundering and terrorism financing after failing to meet bail conditions

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, following his failure to meet bail conditions granted to him. The commission confirmed that Malami remained in custody until 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

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An EFCC source stated that the former minister was required to address allegations involving money laundering, the operation of suspicious accounts, and terrorism financing, as well as the whereabouts of Abacha loot recovered from Switzerland and Jersey in the United Kingdom.

“We arrested him for not meeting his bail conditions, and he will remain in our custody until he meets those requirements,” the source said, adding that Malami is currently under investigation for 18 different offences, including abuse of office and financial crimes.

The EFCC instructed Malami to appear daily for interrogation throughout December as the investigation continues.

The source indicated that the exact sums involved remain unclear due to ongoing discoveries in the probe.

Malami, however, has consistently denied wrongdoing, insisting that the allegations are “fabricated” and that his public record contradicts any claims of complicity in terrorism financing.

“During my tenure as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, I worked with other arms of government and relevant institutions to strengthen—not weaken—Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework against money laundering and the financing of terrorism,” he said.

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The detention marks a significant escalation in the EFCC’s probe into high-profile financial irregularities, drawing public attention to the management of recovered Abacha loot and the broader fight against corruption in Nigeria.