As part of an ongoing investigation into $490m recovered Abacha loot, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized the international passport of Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,
Malami was invited by the anti – graft agency and questioned late into Friday night. He was released on bail on Saturday under strict conditions that include reporting to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja daily for the next month.
The EFCC also barred him from travelling outside the country during this period unless expressly permitted by the EFCC or a High Court.
According to Senior EFCC officials ,the agency is not accusing the former minister of theft but he has “many issues to clarify,” particularly regarding the whereabouts of the $490 million repatriated to Nigeria under a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT).
“We did not say he stole the money, but he must account for it. This is one of the key issues he will clarify to our investigators”,
Current matters gathered that the volume of documents and the number of investigators Malami must interact with necessitated the seizure of his travel documents.
By the seizure of his international passport, the former minister cannot travel out of the country except as mutually agreed with the EFCC or with the permission of a High Court was further learned.
. Meanwhile, in a swift reaction on his X handle,,Malami confirmed his invitation and release but maintained that the allegations against him were “fabricated,” adding that the truth would soon emerge.
He wrote “In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by EFCC, I give glory to Allah for His divine intervention.
“The engagement was successful, and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continues to unfold”,
