In an update to his detention reported on December 10, 2025, former Nigerian Attorney-General Abubakar Malami has denied Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) allegations of operating 46 bank accounts linked to recovered loot from Gen. Sani Abacha. The EFCC states detention results from unmet bail conditions in probes into money laundering, abuse of office, and terrorism financing, while supporters like Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress decry political persecution. Malami claims only six known accounts and full cooperation.
Following his detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as initially reported on December 10, 2025, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami has rejected EFCC claims of operating 46 bank accounts tied to funds recovered from late military ruler Gen. Sani Abacha. In a statement via media aide Bello Doka, Malami affirmed he maintains only six bank accounts, all known to the EFCC. "The EFCC knows his six bank accounts that are to his name; the allegations of operating six unlawful forty-six bank accounts are ridiculous and baseless, and for the record, the former minister has no hand in Abacha loot or any other recovery," Doka said.
Malami was not formally shown evidence of the 46 accounts during interrogation. Doka challenged the EFCC to publish at least 23 of the alleged accounts and noted Malami's continued cooperation.
The EFCC clarified that Malami received provisional administrative bail on November 28, 2025, with five conditions unmet. He was due to report December 1 but requested an adjournment on health grounds December 4, which was granted. Spokesperson Dele Oyewale rejected claims of bail revocation over a political event in Kebbi, affirming the detention's legality amid investigations into money laundering, abuse of office, and terrorism financing, with no political motive.
Political backlash mounted. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called it a "political witch-hunt," stating the EFCC is "weaponising its powers to serve narrow political agendas." The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Malami's new party after leaving the All Progressives Congress, tied the actions to his 2027 Kebbi governorship bid, with spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi citing no bail violation evidence given Malami's legal acumen.
