A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application filed by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, seeking bail from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The decision was disclosed in a statement posted on the EFCC’s official X account on Thursday. According to the anti-graft agency, the court held that Malami was lawfully detained pursuant to a valid remand order issued by a court of coordinate jurisdiction, leading to the striking out of the bail summons against the EFCC.
Malami, through his counsel, Dr. Suliaman Hassan, SAN, had approached the FCT High Court, arguing that his detention in connection with an ongoing investigation was illegal. However, EFCC counsel, Chief J. S. Okutepa, SAN, opposed the application, informing the court that the former minister was being held under a subsisting remand order granted by Justice S. C. Oriji of the FCT High Court. The Commission maintained that it does not detain suspects beyond constitutionally allowed periods without court approval.
In his ruling, Justice Babangida Hassan relied on Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to affirm that Malami’s detention was lawful.
The judge further held that granting the application would amount to sitting as an appellate court over the decision of a court of coordinate jurisdiction, which his court lacked the power to do.
“The summons for bail filed by former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been dismissed,” the EFCC statement quoted the court as ruling on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
The court also reaffirmed that Malami’s detention was part of an ongoing investigation and was being carried out in full compliance with the law.
