Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, is set to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) every day throughout December as part of an investigation into the alleged $490 million Abacha loot.
According to reports, Malami’s daily appearances are linked to the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request that facilitated the recovery of the funds.
The reports added that Malami, who was summoned on Saturday, has been barred from leaving Nigeria for one month. As a condition of his release, he is required to report daily to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja for further questioning.
“Given the volume of documents involved and the seriousness of the matter, he will report to the EFCC every day from December 1 to December 31″, the source said. “His passport was seized as part of standard investigative procedures”.
EFCC investigators have asked Malami to clarify several issues, particularly the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot. “We are not accusing him of theft, but he must account for the funds. This is one of the matters he will address”, the source said.
The commission stressed that it would not engage in public disputes and would release its findings only after a thorough investigation.
In response, Malami, through his media aide Mohammed Doka, described the probe as a political witch-hunt. He confirmed he honored an EFCC invitation on November 28, calling the meeting “fruitful” and expressing confidence that the investigation would ultimately vindicate him.
