The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is apolitical in its operation.
The agency was responding to a claim by Abubakar Malami,
ex-attorney general of the federation, who had alleged that his bail was
revoked because of his attendance at a political gathering in Kebbi state.
Malami is being probed for 18 alleged offences, including
money laundering, abuse of office, and terrorism financing.
In a statement on Friday, Mohammed Bello Doka, his special
assistant on media, had said the former AGF met his bail requirements.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Abubakar Malami, SAN did not
default on any bail condition. His bail was revoked by the EFCC following his
attendance at a political gathering in Kebbi State, not because he failed or
refused to comply with any lawful requirement,” he had said.
However, in a statement on Saturday, the EFCC described the
claims as “false”.
“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 EFCC said.
“To this effect, after his brief interrogation on November
28, 2025, Malami was offered provisional bail hinged on five requirements. He
has neither met any of the requirements nor shown readiness to keep faith with
them.
“He was due back for further interrogation on December 1,
2025 , but in a curious twist, the former Minister pleaded with his
investigators through a letter written to the Commission on December 4, 2025,
to allow him to attend to his ‘ill-health’.
“The Commission compassionately granted his plea even while
his bail conditions had not been met.
“He was initially required to commence reporting for further
investigations on December 1, 2025 but this had to be deferred to December 4,
2025 largely owing to his ‘Request for an Adjournment on Grounds of Ill-
Health’.
The commission added that Malami neither provided a medical
report nor credible proof of ill-health to the EFCC.
“The EFCC cannot allow the latitude granted the former
Minister on his health stand in the way of investigations,” EFCC said.
“On this score, he was invited again on December 8, 2025 for
further interrogation and detained until the pending bail conditions are met.
“Evidently, the former minister’s claims of revocation of
bail by the EFCC are untenable. It is equally ridiculous to insinuate that the
Commission barred him ‘from granting media interviews and from participating in
political activities in Kebbi State’.
“Such bogus claims from a former chief law officer of the
nation are strange, as the EFCC has no interest in the political affiliation of
its suspects. It bears reiterating that the Commission is apolitical. A former
governor and ranking member of the ruling party was recently arraigned for
alleged contract fraud.
“The Commission wishes to advise Malami to expend his energy
on meeting the five bail conditions he acknowledged and signed on November 28,
2025.
“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.”
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