Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, is facing allegations contained in multiple petitions submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged $16.9 million legal fees transaction linked to the recovery of the Sani Abacha loot.
According to SaharaReporters, the petitions also accused Malami of money laundering, abuse of office, and acquiring assets allegedly far beyond his lawful earnings.
Documents filed before the Federal Capital Territory high court in Abuja showed that the allegations prompted an application by the EFCC seeking to remand Malami and an associate, Temitope Isaac Adebayo, for further investigation.
The anti-graft agency asked the court to order their detention in EFCC custody for 14 days.
In a motion ex parte supported by an affidavit from an EFCC investigator, the commission said the petitions were submitted by multiple civil society organisations.
The groups included the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, Karlos Community Development and Empowerment Initiative, and Grassroot Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance.
‘PAID TO NEW LAYWERS’
The EFCC said its preliminary investigation indicated that Malami approved the payment of $16.9 million in legal fees while serving as the nation’s chief law officer.
The payment was allegedly made to two individuals described in the petitions as “new lawyers” involved in the recovery of funds traced to the late former head of state, Sani Abacha.
According to the petitions, the legal work had already been concluded by foreign lawyers previously engaged and fully paid by the federal government.
The EFCC said the fresh payments were therefore unnecessary and allegedly fraudulent.
The commission further alleged that Malami used his position to confer undue benefit on his associate, listed as the second respondent in the application.
It said the investigation had so far revealed a prima facie case of criminal conspiracy, corruption, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering.
Beyond the disputed legal fees, the petitions also raised concerns over what they described as Malami’s “unexplained wealth.”
The petitioners questioned how Malami acquired several high-value assets allegedly inconsistent with his known income before and during his time in office.
Among the properties listed were Azbir Hotel and Azbir Arena, described as a large entertainment and hospitality complex in Birnin Kebbi.
Other assets cited included Rayhan Rice Mill, Rayhan Private Academy, and Rayhan University, all located in Kebbi state.
The petitions also listed multiple residential and commercial properties in Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi. Some of the assets were alleged to be valued in hundreds of millions of naira.
The petitioners claimed that Malami could not have legitimately afforded such properties prior to his appointment as attorney-general in 2015.
They argued that the size and value of the assets far exceeded his lawful income as a legal practitioner and public office holder.
The petitions urged the EFCC to investigate the source of funds used to acquire the assets, while calling for the freezing of any properties and bank accounts linked to Malami pending the conclusion of the probe.
Additional allegations accused Malami of facilitating the auction of seized crude oil vessels without proper authorisation.
He was also alleged to have distributed luxury vehicles valued at over N1 billion.
The petitions further claimed that Malami attempted to interfere in high-profile corruption cases by recommending the discontinuation of prosecutions involving politically exposed persons.
In its court application, the EFCC said Malami reported to the commission on November 28 following an invitation.
The agency said he was granted provisional administrative bail subject to strict conditions.
However, the EFCC alleged that Malami failed to meet the bail requirements and subsequently “jumped” the temporary bail.
The commission told the court it had intelligence indicating that Malami was planning to leave the country.
The anti-graft agency alleged that he had begun intimidating potential witnesses connected to the investigation, noting that such actions could undermine the investigation and any eventual prosecution.
On this basis, the agency asked the court to order the remand of the respondents to protect the integrity of the process.
The EFCC said the petitions were filed in the public interest, adding that a thorough investigation is needed to protect the attorney-general’s office integrity.