A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of refusing to comply with a court order granting him bail and subjecting him to unlawful detention and trial by media.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami said the EFCC ignored a valid order of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, admitting him to bail despite the fulfilment of all conditions.

It would be recalled that the FCT High Court on December 23, 2025, granted Malami interim bail in a matter involving the EFCC after considering arguments from both parties. The court reportedly held that the former Attorney-General had met the bail conditions and ordered his release pending further proceedings, adjourning the case to a later date in January.

However, Malami’s office alleged that despite being formally served with the court order, EFCC officials refused to accept the bail documents and turned away the court bailiff, insisting on keeping him in custody.

According to the statement, the former minister has now spent over 14 days in detention without being arraigned before any court of competent jurisdiction, a development his lawyers described as unconstitutional and oppressive.

Beyond the issue of detention, Malami accused the anti-graft agency of engaging in selective media briefings aimed at shaping public opinion against him, a move he described as a “media trial” after the failure to secure judicial backing.

“Court orders are not advisory. They are binding on all authorities,” the statement said, warning that selective obedience to judicial orders could undermine the rule of law.

Malami reiterated his readiness to submit himself fully to due process and to have any allegation determined by a court of law, but rejected what he termed “trial by detention, trial by media, and trial by political vendetta.”

The statement called on the judiciary and relevant oversight institutions to take urgent notice of the alleged contempt and ensure accountability.

As of press time, the EFCC had yet to respond to the allegations. Efforts to reach the Commission for comment were unsuccessful. (The PUNCH)

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