ABUJA, Nigeria — Abubakar Malami, Nigeria’s former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, is being held by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as part of an expanding investigation into allegations of large-scale financial misconduct linked to his time in office.
People familiar with the inquiry said Malami is being probed over 18 alleged offences, including money laundering, abuse of office and terrorism financing.
The anti-graft agency is believed to have secured a remand order authorising his detention.
According to individuals briefed on the investigation, Malami is unable to account for the recovery of 346.2 million dollars in Abacha loot repatriated from Switzerland, as well as additional funds traced to the Island of Jersey.
The inquiry has also been extended to the disbursement of 4 billion naira under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Investigators are further questioning Malami over his alleged 10 billion naira investment in schools, hotels and rice mills in his home state of Kebbi.
The former minister has now spent a second night in custody after failing to meet the conditions attached to his administrative bail by 11 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter.
An associate of the former justice minister said Malami was initially invited for questioning on Monday, December 8, 2025, but arrived late in the evening, which led to him remaining overnight to continue responding to investigators’ queries.
The same source said 46 bank accounts allegedly linked to Malami are now under scrutiny, forming a central part of the EFCC’s investigation.
Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson of the commission, declined to comment when contacted, offering no confirmation or denial of the details of the probe.
The detention marks a dramatic turn for Malami, who served as attorney-general throughout the eight-year administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and was one of the most powerful figures in that government.
His tenure was often marked by controversy surrounding major financial settlements and asset recovery processes.
In November 2025, Malami publicly declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kebbi State, months after resigning from the ruling All Progressives Congress and joining the African Democratic Congress.
His political ambitions have now been overshadowed by the widening investigation.
As far back as 2023, Malami was expected to be questioned over at least five suspicious transactions linked to his time in office.
Among the most contentious deals under scrutiny is the mysterious payment of 496 million dollars to Global Steel Holdings Limited as settlement for the termination of the Ajaokuta Steel concession, nine years after the Indian firm had reportedly waived all claims for compensation.
Also under investigation is Malami’s handling of assets worth billions of naira forfeited to the EFCC by politically exposed persons, particularly the processes surrounding their eventual disposal.
His role in the 419 million dollars judgment debt awarded to consultants who claimed to have facilitated the Paris Club refunds to Nigerian states is also part of the inquiry.
In addition, investigators are examining the controversial agreement to pay Sunrise Power 200 million dollars in compensation over the long-running dispute on the Mambilla power project.
Further concerns have been raised over duplicated legal fees in the transfer of 321 million dollars in Abacha loot from Switzerland to Nigeria, another transaction carried out during Malami’s tenure.
The former minister has not issued any public statement since his detention.
His legal team has also remained silent on the specific allegations, though sources close to him insist he will contest the claims when formally charged.
