By our Reporter
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has dismissed a bail application by Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, confirming his continued detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The ruling was delivered on Thursday by Presiding Judge Babangida Hassan, who stated that Malami’s detention was lawful and supported by a valid court order.
Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, had sought bail through his lawyer, Sulaiman Hassan, arguing that his ongoing detention amid an active EFCC investigation violated his constitutional right to personal liberty. The EFCC, represented by J.S. Okutepa, countered that Malami was being held under a remand order lawfully issued by another FCT High Court judge, S.C. Oriji, in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). Okutepa emphasised that the commission was acting within legal limits and would not detain any suspect beyond the court-authorised period.
Judge Hassan agreed with the EFCC, noting that the constitution and the ACJA permit detention based on a valid remand order from a competent court. He described Malami’s bail application as procedurally flawed, stating that granting it would effectively require the court to act as an appellate court over a decision by a coordinate court, which exceeds its powers.
Malami is currently under investigation for 18 alleged offences, including money laundering, abuse of office, and terrorism financing, as the EFCC continues its probe.
