The Office of the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has fiercely defended the ex-minister against allegations that he failed to meet his bail conditions.
In a statement signed by Mohammed Bello Doka, Special Assistant on Media Affairs to Malami, the former Minister stated emphatically that his continued detention was due to his attendance at a political event in Kebbi State.
Doka dismissed reports of non-compliance with bail terms as “incorrect and misleading,” insisting that Malami had fully cooperated with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The statement claimed that Malami had fully complied with the initial bail requirements set by the EFCC regarding allegations of money laundering and abuse of office, allegations he has consistently denied.
However, the office revealed that the EFCC later introduced fresh, unconstitutional restrictions, which included a ban on media interviews and a prohibition on participating in political activities in Kebbi State.
“Abubakar Malami, SAN did not violate or fail to meet any bail condition. It was the EFCC that revoked his bail after he attended a political gathering in Kebbi State, not because of any breach of the law or his bail terms,” the aide stated.
Malami’s office argued that the political restriction placed on the former AGF was illegal and unconstitutional, emphasizing that preventing him from engaging in politics in his home state amounted to an infringement on his fundamental rights.
“Prohibiting him from engaging in political activities in Kebbi, his home state, violates his fundamental rights. Such a condition has no basis in a democratic system and raises questions about its true intent,” the statement added.
The aide explained that Malami had travelled to Kebbi from Friday to Sunday, where he was received by members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He returned to Abuja on Monday following an EFCC invitation, only to be informed that his bail had been revoked.
The statement questioned the logic behind linking allegations of financial impropriety to his political attendance.
“What does an allegation of money laundering have to do with attending a political meeting in Kebbi State? Nothing at all,” it stressed.
Malami’s office reiterated that while the EFCC has the authority to investigate and prosecute, it cannot impose political restrictions or infringe on constitutional rights.
