Court Order: Northern Group Demands Immediate Release of Ex-AGF Malami

A Northern interest group, Arewa 100 Percent Focus, has called for the immediate release of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, following a court order granting him bail.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the group’s National President, Dr Abubakar Fakai, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to comply with the order granted by Justice Babaginda Hassan of the FCT High Court, Abuja, on December 18.

Fakai also called for an end to what he described as selective justice, stressing that the anti-graft agency must investigate and prosecute corruption cases fairly and impartially, without regard to political affiliation or regional considerations.

Malami was earlier ordered remanded in EFCC custody for 14 days by Justice S.C. Oriji of the FCT High Court on December 10, pending the conclusion of investigations.

Subsequently, Malami’s legal team filed an ex parte bail application before Justice Hassan on December 15. Although the application was initially dismissed on December 18 on the grounds that Malami was lawfully detained, the court later granted him bail after an ex parte hearing.

The court ordered that Malami, who has been in EFCC custody since December 8, be released upon meeting the bail conditions earlier proposed by the anti-graft agency.

The EFCC has filed 16 counts against Malami, his son, Abubakar Malami, and Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd. The charges include allegations of money laundering, concealment, and unlawful acquisition of proceeds of illegal activities.