The legal team representing the former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has vehemently condemned his continued detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as unconstitutional.
The counsel, led by Barrister Mohammed Sheriff Elhassan, disclosed that the team is seeking court intervention to terminate what they term an “unlawful and unconstitutional detention.”
According to Vanguard, Elhassan raised strong objections to the conditions imposed for Malami’s release, labeling them as “oppressive and unattainable.”
He insisted that the former AGF had fully cooperated with the anti-graft agency and dismissed claims that Malami had “jumped bail” or failed to honour invitations.
According to Elhassan, Malami voluntarily presented himself for interrogation between November 24 and November 29, and again on December 1 and December 8, 2025.
The lawyer said after being interrogated for over 15 hours, Malami was initially granted administrative bail, which he fully complied with.
However, Elhassan alleged that the situation took a turn on December 2, 2025, when the EFCC allegedly amended, revoked the initial bail, and proceeded to detain the former AGF.
The counsel maintained that Malami is being investigated over the alleged mismanagement of the Abacha loot, and not over terrorism as purportedly suggested by the Commission.
Elhassan stressed that the continuous detention of Malami beyond the constitutional 24-hour limit without a valid court order is a clear breach of the Nigerian Constitution.
“We are therefore seeking court intervention to end his unlawful and unconstitutional detention. It is irrational to continue to detain a person who has obeyed all invitations and fully cooperated with investigators,” Elhassan said.
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