Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has spoken out defiantly following his release from custody, declaring that he has no regrets about his conduct during his time in office and vowing to defend himself vigorously against the 16-count money laundering charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
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In an interview conducted in Hausa after his release on bail, Malami accused security agencies of violating his constitutional rights during the investigation into his affairs, while insisting that everything he did as minister was in line with his understanding of the law and his responsibilities.
Malami alleged that operatives carried out searches on his homes and business premises without prior notice or his presence, in what he described as a clear breach of his constitutional rights.
“They violated my rights by searching my houses and business premises without notifying me. Constitutionally, I had the right to be present to monitor the process and know what items were being taken,” the former minister stated.
He did not specify whether the searches were conducted by the EFCC, the DSS, or both agencies, but expressed displeasure at what he characterized as a failure to follow due process during the investigation.
Despite the gravity of the charges and his experience in multiple detention facilities, Malami remained unapologetic about his tenure as the nation’s chief law officer.
“I have no regrets regarding what I did during my time as minister. Everything I did was in line with my understanding of the law and my responsibilities,” Malami declared.
He acknowledged the toll the process has taken on him personally but framed his experience in spiritual terms.
“I have spent time in EFCC custody, Kuje Prison, and with the DSS. I believe it is all God’s will, and I accept it, but I will defend myself against the allegations,” he stated.
Malami, alongside his wife Bashir Asabe and his son Abdulaziz Malami, is currently facing a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering filed by the EFCC. The charges relate to financial transactions allegedly conducted during his service as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Malami’s journey through the Nigerian criminal justice system has been eventful. He was initially taken into EFCC custody, subsequently remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, and later re-arrested by the Department of State Services after his initial detention. He was eventually granted bail in February 2026.
Malami served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023 under the Buhari administration. His tenure was marked by several high-profile controversies, and he was one of the most politically prominent members of the former president’s cabinet.
His prosecution is part of a broader wave of investigations and trials targeting former officials of the Buhari administration over allegations of financial impropriety during their time in office.
The case is expected to attract significant public attention as it progresses through the courts, given Malami’s status as the former chief law officer of the Federation and the seniority of the office he occupied.
A trial date has not been publicly disclosed as of the time of this report.
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