Hussaini Ibrahim 
Former Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seizes the international passport of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), as investigators intensify a probe into the recovery and handling of $490 million linked to the Abacha loot.
Malami is granted bail around 1am on Saturday after hours of interrogation and is placed under a month-long directive to report to the EFCC headquarters daily unless the order is lifted by the agency or a court.
According to an internal EFCC factsheet obtained by Africa Health Report, investigators expect Malami to clarify documentation and provide explanations on unresolved issues surrounding the repatriated funds secured under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT).
A senior EFCC official says the process focuses on accountability rather than accusations.
“We have asked him to account for the $490 million Abacha loot recovered via MLAT. We are not accusing him of theft; we need him to explain what happened to the funds,” the official states.
He says the passport seizure is procedural, adding: “Given the volume of documents he must review and the number of detectives he is scheduled to meet, his passport has been seized as part of the bail conditions.”
The official adds that the EFCC will not engage Malami’s public comments.
“Our findings will be made public once the investigation is concluded,” he says.
Malami denies wrongdoing on X, calling the allegations fabricated.
“I give glory to Allah… I will continue to honour further appointments as the truth becomes clear,” he writes.
The probe continues as part of the EFCC’s wider review of past asset recovery operations.
About the Author
Otamere Gladness 
Oluwatobi Adu