- ‘I Am Ready to Defend Myself’ – Malami Blasts DSS, EFCC
- EFCC delayed submission of passports, prolonging his detention.
- DSS rearrest and five-day isolation violated access to legal counsel.
The office of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has accused security agencies of actions it described as aimed at undermining his constitutional right to fair hearing and effective legal defence.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami’s office expressed concern over what it called a recurring pattern of conduct by state agencies following charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the statement, although the Federal High Court granted Malami bail, the EFCC allegedly delayed submitting his international passports to the court for about a week, despite the documents being a key condition for the perfection of bail. The office claimed the delay prolonged his detention and obstructed the enforcement of a valid court order.
The statement further alleged that immediately after Malami perfected his bail and was released from the Kuje Custodial Centre, he was rearrested by the Department of State Services (DSS). Malami was reportedly held for five days without access to his lawyers or family members, only meeting his legal team on Friday after what his aides described as prolonged isolation. The office described the detention as a violation of his fundamental human rights.
Malami’s team said the detention occurred at a critical stage, when he was required to prepare his defence in an EFCC interim forfeiture proceeding before the Federal High Court. Denying him access to legal counsel, they argued, impaired his ability to consult with lawyers, prepare court filings, and give instructions, amounting to “a clear frustration of due process.”
The statement alleged a pattern in which arrest precedes investigation, with evidence often sought after detention, a practice it claimed violated the rule of law and constitutionally guaranteed rights. The office warned that bail granted by a court must be respected, cautioning against coordinated delays, rearrests, or denial of legal representation.
“Mr. Malami remains ready to defend himself fully in court and in accordance with the law, and calls on all state institutions to respect court orders, constitutional guarantees, and the rule of law,” the statement added.
