The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized the international passport of former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
A credible source in the EFCC said on Sunday that the seizure was part of an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged $490 million Abacha loot secured through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request.
The source added that Mr Malami was barred from leaving Nigeria for the next month.
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According to the source, one of the conditions for Malami’s release on Saturday was that he should report daily to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja for further interrogations.
The source stated that The former minister may not travel out of the country except with mutual agreement with the EFCC or a High Court order.
The EFCC source revealed details of the investigation, citing a fact-sheet on the former minister which revealed that Malami had several issues to clarify with the EFCC within the coming weeks.”
The core issue is the missing funds, as the source said: “We have asked him to explain the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot secured through MLAT.”
The source clarified the EFCC’s position: “We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.”
The commission cited the huge volume of documents he must go through and the need for extensive interviews as reasons for seizing his passport.
The source also said EFCC would not engage in a war of words but would release its findings after a thorough investigation.
Mr. Malami, however, described the allegations as fabricated and said the truth would soon unfold.
In a post on X, Mr. Malami called the allegations fabricated, thanked Allah for divine intervention.
He said the engagement with the EFCC was successful and that he was released pending further meetings.
He remained silent on the passport seizure but reiterated that the truth about the fabricated claims would unfold.
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