A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the application for bail filed by a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Naijaonpoint reports that Justice Babangida Hassan delivered the ruling on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Malami, through his counsel, Dr Suliaman Hassan (SAN), had approached the court seeking bail from the custody of the EFCC.
He argued that his detention by the anti-graft agency in connection with an ongoing investigation was illegal and unconstitutional.
However, counsel to the EFCC, Chief J.S. Okutepa (SAN), told the court that the Commission was holding the former minister pursuant to a valid remand order.
Okutepa said the remand order was granted by another FCT High Court presided over by Justice S. C. Oriji.
He further submitted that the EFCC was a law-abiding agency that would not detain any suspect beyond the period allowed by law without an order of court.
In his ruling, Justice Hassan held that Malami was lawfully detained, relying on the provisions of Section 35 of the Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The judge noted that the ACJA clearly provides for detention through a remand order issued by a competent court.
“Asking this court to grant this application is tantamount to inviting the court to sit as an appellate court over an application made by a court of coordinate jurisdiction, which the court has no power to do,” Justice Hassan said.
He consequently dismissed Malami’s application for bail.