The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted claims that it is unlawfully detaining former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, stating that his custody is based on a valid court order.
In a statement, the agency’s lead counsel, Chief J.S. Okutepa, SAN, described media reports of an ex-parte bail order for Malami as misleading and professionally irresponsible, asserting that the EFCC has never been served with such a directive.
Okutepa clarified that an FCT High Court had ordered Malami’s remand for 14 days on December 10, a decision that remains in effect.
He revealed that a subsequent bail application filed by Malami’s team was dismissed by another judge on December 18, who affirmed that the detention was lawful.
The EFCC counsel expressed surprise that Malami’s legal team would allegedly approach a third court for an ex-parte order without disclosing the prior, contrary rulings, calling the narrative of illegal detention a false one.
