In a significant legal update, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has granted bail to the former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. The decision was delivered on Monday by Justice Bello Kawu following an application by Malami’s legal team regarding the ongoing case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In granting the request, Justice Kawu noted that the bail was approved based on grounds of exceptional hardship, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion. The court adopted the same conditions previously set by the EFCC, which require the former minister to surrender his international passport and provide two reliable sureties to execute bail bonds.
The individuals standing as sureties for Malami are high-profile figures, including a serving member of the House of Representatives representing the Augie/Argungu Federal Constituency and the Director-General of the Nigerian Legal Aid Council. With these conditions met, the court has adjourned the matter until January 5, 2026, to begin hearing the motion on notice.
This legal battle comes on the heels of serious allegations from the anti-graft agency. The EFCC has accused Malami of operating 46 unlawful bank accounts and being linked to financial misconduct, specifically concerning the repatriation of funds looted by the late General Sani Abacha.
However, Malami has wasted no time in firing back at these claims. Through a statement released by his media aide, Bello Doka, the former minister dismissed the accusations as “ridiculous and baseless.” He clarified that he only operates six bank accounts in his name, all of which are already registered and known to the authorities. Doka further stressed that Malami has absolutely no connection to the recovered Abacha loot or any other financial improprieties being discussed in the public space.
