Former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has been granted bail by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in a development that has drawn wide public attention.
The bail was granted on Monday by Justice Bello Kawu following charges filed against Malami by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Kawu approved bail conditions earlier proposed by the EFCC. However, the court ruled that bail was justified due to what it described as exceptional hardship, pending the hearing of the substantive motion on notice.
As part of the bail terms, Malami was ordered to surrender his international passport. In addition, he must execute bail bonds with two sureties acceptable to the court.
The sureties include the Director-General of the Nigerian Legal Aid Council and a serving member of the House of Representatives representing the Augie/Argungu Federal Constituency.
The court made it clear that the conditions must be fully met before the bail takes effect.
Meanwhile, the matter was adjourned to January 5, 2026, for further hearing. Attention is now firmly fixed on that date, which could determine the direction of the case.
The bail ruling comes amid serious allegations made by the EFCC. The anti-graft agency has linked Malami to 46 alleged illegal bank accounts and claims of financial misconduct.
These allegations also touch on issues surrounding the repatriation of funds linked to the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha.
However, Malami has firmly denied the accusations. In a statement issued by his media aide, Bello Doka, the former Attorney-General described the claims as “ridiculous and baseless.”
He insisted that he operates only six bank accounts. According to him, all the accounts are already known to the EFCC.
Moreover, Doka stated that Malami has no connection to any recovered Abacha loot or other financial wrongdoing.
Furthermore, the former Justice Minister has maintained that the allegations are part of a wider attempt to damage his reputation. He has repeatedly called for a fair and transparent legal process.
The Abubakar Malami EFCC case has continued to attract national interest. Therefore, the court’s decision to grant bail has added a new layer of suspense to the unfolding legal battle.
Abubakar Malami EFCC case
Court grants bail to ex-Justice Minister Abubakar Malami in EFCC case, as allegations over illegal accounts are denied and trial continues.
