The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced that former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will be required to appear daily at its headquarters in Abuja throughout December. This development is part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged mismanagement of $490 million in Abacha loot, which was recovered through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request.
According to a credible source within the EFCC, Malami was summoned for interrogation on Saturday and has been barred from leaving Nigeria for the next month. As a condition of his release, he is expected to report to the EFCC headquarters daily for further questioning. The source attributed this requirement to the complexity and seriousness of the investigation, stating that Malami’s passport has been seized as part of the standard procedure.
The EFCC is seeking clarification on the whereabouts of the recovered Abacha loot, with the source emphasizing that Malami is not accused of stealing the funds but rather needs to account for them. The commission has a significant volume of documents to review and intends to conduct extensive interviews, which will necessitate Malami’s daily appearances.
In response to the investigation, Malami has described the EFCC’s actions as a “political witch-hunt” through a statement issued by his media aide, Mohammed Doka. Malami confirmed that he honored an EFCC invitation on November 28 and expressed confidence that the probe would vindicate him, characterizing the allegations as baseless and devoid of substance.
The EFCC has stated that it will not engage in a war of words and will instead release its findings after a thorough investigation. The commission’s actions are part of its ongoing efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability in Nigeria’s public sector. As the investigation unfolds, the EFCC’s handling of the case will be closely watched, with many awaiting the outcome and potential implications for Malami and the country’s anti-corruption efforts.