Key Points

• EFCC extends detention as Malami probe deepens.

• Investigators link the Malami probe to multiple financial cases.

• Former AGF says allegations against him are fabricated.

According to a high-ranking official who knows about the situation, Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency is still holding former Attorney General Abubakar Malami because he did not meet the bail conditions set for him earlier this week. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been questioning the former minister every day and plans to keep doing so until December as they expand their investigation.

The investigation into Malami, who was Attorney-General from 2015 to 2023, is getting bigger and getting a lot of public attention because of the seriousness of the claims and the high profile of his former office. EFCC officials say that he is still in jail because he hasn’t been able to meet the conditions of his bail. This is why the agency is keeping him in custody while they continue to question him.

The Malami investigation leads to longer detention

A source at the EFCC said that Malami stayed in jail until late Tuesday because he didn’t meet the conditions for his release. The former justice minister is being questioned about a number of financial crimes, such as money laundering and running accounts that the agency thinks may have been used for illegal transactions.

Also, investigators are looking into claims related to terrorism financing and the management of funds known as “recovered Abacha loot.” This money was sent back to Nigeria from Switzerland and the Island of Jersey. The official said, “He will stay in custody until he meets those conditions.” He stressed that the agency will not change its mind until all bail conditions are met.

Investigators are looking into more things

Malami has been told by the EFCC to come in for questioning every day in December. Officials who know about the case say that the Malami investigation now includes 18 alleged crimes, such as abuse of office, questionable approvals, and financial transactions whose values investigators say are still changing as new information comes to light. “We keep finding out about some of the deals as we look into it,” the source said, adding that the case is changing so quickly that it’s hard to figure out how much money is involved.

Former minister denies the claims

Malami has strongly denied all of the accusations, calling them false and politically motivated. He said in a statement that his public record proves that he was not involved in financing terrorism or illegal money transfers. He said that during his time in office, he worked to make Nigeria’s laws and institutions stronger so that they could better fight money laundering and terrorism financing. He said that the accusations went against the changes and programs he supported while he was in office.