By Charles Pemu 
Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has confirmed he is currently being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but insisted the probe is strictly limited to an allegation of duplication in the recovery of the $310 million Abacha loot.
The confirmation came via a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, who disclosed that the EFCC inquiry, though limited, focused on two specific issues: alleged abuse of office and alleged money laundering stemming from the Abacha loot recovery.
While acknowledging the limited inquiry, Malami strongly refuted what he described as false narratives and a coordinated media trial attempting to link him to terrorism financing, alleged ownership of 46 bank accounts, and other unfounded claims.
The statement categorically asserted: “We state without equivocation that there is no allegation, investigation or charge of terrorism financing against Abubakar Malami, SAN by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or by any other security, intelligence or law-enforcement agency, whether in Nigeria or abroad.”
Similarly, Malami’s camp dismissed claims suggesting he operates or controls “46 bank accounts” as entirely fictitious and aimed at character assassination, adding that he has never been questioned or confronted with issues relating to terrorism financing or multiple bank accounts.
Malami clarified that his engagement with the EFCC centered strictly on the accusation that the recovery of the $310 million Abacha loot, which with accrued interest amounted to approximately $322.5 million at the time of its repatriation, was duplicated. He firmly described this accusation as baseless, illogical, and devoid of factual foundation.
Meanwhile, other reports indicate that Malami has been held in EFCC custody under a remand order after failing to meet his bail conditions earlier set by the anti-graft agency. Sources suggested Malami was searching for two permanent secretaries to serve as sureties to fulfill the bail requirements for his release after being taken into custody and grilled.