THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly seized the international passport of former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, following his ongoing investigation.
Malami, a senior advocate, who was released around 1am on Saturday, November 28, after hours of interrogation, has now been placed under a one-month restriction that compels him to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day, according to The Nation Newspaper.
The travel ban, according to the fact sheet reported by the newspaper, was necessary to prevent any interruption in the ongoing probe.
It also noted that Malami had significant questions to answer over how alleged $490 million loot of the late Head of State Sani Abacha was managed under his watch.
The report further stressed that the decision to seize Malami’s passport was informed by the volume of documents he is expected to review and myriads of questions waiting ahead for him to answer.
The report noted that he could not travel out of Nigeria except with EFCC approval or a court order.
The ICIR’s efforts to reach the commission through its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, proved abortive, as calls directed to his line went unanswered, and SMS and WhatsApp messages sent to him were not replied when filing this report.
The ICIR reported that Malami claimed the allegations against him were fabricated.
In a reaction posted on his X handle, the former minister said his interaction with EFCC investigators went ‘successfully’.
He said nothing about seizure of his passport.
““In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by EFCC, I give glory to Allah for his divine intervention,” he said.
“The engagement was successful and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continue to unfold,” he added.
Malami had earlier announced the EFCC invitation on his Facebook page, describing himself as a law-abiding citizen ready to honour the summon.
During the period, he became one of the most influential figures in the cabinet and a central actor in several major legal and political decisions.
He was also widely regarded as one of Buhari’s most loyal allies, often defending controversial government policies and legal actions.
Malami was also central to the administration’s alleged selective anti-corruption drive, with critics accusing him of selective prosecution and political interference.
His tenure courted controversies, including allegations of financial irregularities, handling of recovered looted funds and legal interpretations that shaped the Buhari administration’s posture on human rights and press freedom.
In 2020, he was accused of interfering in the prosecution of some high cases such as the Malabu Oil case, former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and former Gombe State Governor, Danjuma Goje.
Also in August 2020, a coalition against corruption called on Buhari to probe Malami for allegations ranging from financial sleaze involving him and his family to influence peddling.
Recall that shortly after leaving office in August 2023, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission probed him over allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
Recently, the former AGF declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kebbi State.
Malami, who spoke with DCL Hausa on November 17, said he had the backing of the people of the state.
“I have agreed to contest, and there is no retreat. God willing, we are going to win because we have people who believe in us, and we will not let them down,” he added.
Mustapha Usman is an investigative journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: musman@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M