The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed that former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will report to its Abuja headquarters every day throughout December as part of an intensive probe into a missing $490 million Abacha recovery.
A senior EFCC official, who spoke to Vanguard on Monday, disclosed that the daily appearance is a strict condition attached to Malami’s temporary release after he honored an invitation from the anti-graft agency on Saturday, November 28.
As part of the investigation protocol, the EFCC has seized his international passport, preventing him from traveling outside the country for the next month.
According to the official, the volume of documents to be examined and the seriousness of the allegations necessitated Malami’s month-long interrogation schedule.
“We seized his passport because that is standard procedure,” the source explained. “But more importantly, he must report to the EFCC headquarters every day from December 1 to December 31. This is due to the enormity of the investigation and the gravity of the issues he needs to clarify.”
$490 Million Abacha Loot at the Center of Investigation
EFCC investigators are seeking full accountability for the repatriated $490 million allegedly recovered through a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT).
The source stressed that Malami has not been accused of personal theft but is required to provide a detailed explanation on the status and disbursement of the funds.
“We only asked him to account for the $490 million recovered through MLAT,” the insider said. “We did not say he stole it. But he must give a comprehensive explanation to our investigators.”
The commission noted that Malami will undergo extensive questioning and document reviews throughout December.
EFCC officials say they will refrain from public altercations and will release their findings once the investigation is complete.
Malami Responds, Describes Probe as Political Targeting
In a statement issued Monday by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, Malami confirmed he had met with EFCC officials but dismissed the probe as a politically motivated exercise.
Also Read: 2Baba and Wife Natasha Osawaru Clash Live on Daddy Freeze’s Facebook Stream
He described his interaction with the investigators as “fruitful,” expressing confidence that he would be vindicated.
He insisted the allegations against him are “baseless, illogical, and lacking in substance,” adding that the claims would crumble when subjected to factual scrutiny.
