When the Hunter Becomes the Hunted: The Fall of Abubakar Malami
By Dalhatu Zubairu
For eight years, Abubakar Malami, SAN, served as Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice—the nation’s chief law officer and one of the most powerful figures in the Buhari administration. He was the man who signed off on prosecutions, approved high‑profile investigations, and defended the government in court. In many ways, he embodied the state’s authority to pursue wrongdoing.
But today, the former hunter has become the hunted.
In a dramatic twist that has gripped national attention, Malami has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 16‑count charge bordering on money laundering, concealment of illicit funds, and unlawful acquisition of assets running into billions of naira. He has since been remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application.
The Charges: Billions, Properties, and Concealment
According to court filings, the EFCC alleges that Malami, alongside his son Abubakar Abdulaziz and an associate, Asabe Bashir, handled and concealed funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. Investigators claim that over ₦1.014 billion was traced to a Sterling Bank account linked to the transactions.
The EFCC further alleges that Malami used these funds to acquire multiple high‑value properties across Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi—including plots in Ipent 7 Estate and Lamido Crescent—valued at hundreds of millions of naira.
In a separate filing, the commission claims that assets worth ₦212.9 billion were traced to Malami and his associates over several years.
Malami has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Courtroom Drama: From Prosecutor to Defendant
At his arraignment before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Malami stood in the same dock where he once sent others. His legal team attempted an oral bail application, arguing that the offenses were bailable and that the former AGF was not a flight risk.
But the EFCC opposed the oral request, insisting that bail must be supported by affidavit evidence. The judge agreed, ruling that the defense could not pursue both oral and written applications simultaneously, and adjourned the matter to allow the EFCC to respond formally.
Until then, Malami, his son, and his associate remain in custody.
A Second Blow: Bail Denied in a Parallel Case
In a separate ruling earlier in December, an FCT High Court also rejected Malami’s attempt to secure bail in another EFCC investigation involving alleged mismanagement of recovered Abacha loot and issues surrounding a $490 million transaction.
The court held that his detention was lawful and backed by a valid remand order.
This dual legal pressure has intensified public scrutiny of the former minister.
The Irony of Power
Malami’s fall from grace has sparked widespread commentary, not only because of the scale of the allegations but also because of the symbolism. As Attorney General, he was the face of Nigeria’s anti‑corruption efforts. He approved prosecutions, defended EFCC actions, and often justified controversial decisions in the name of justice.
Today, he stands on the opposite side of the law he once enforced.
The irony is not lost on Nigerians.
Political Undertones and Public Perception
Malami’s media team has dismissed the allegations as “baseless” and politically motivated, insisting he will clear his name in court. But the EFCC maintains that its investigations are backed by evidence, bank records, and witness testimonies—including bank officials and Bureau de Change operators lined up to testify.
Observers note that Malami’s case reflects a broader pattern in Nigerian politics: powerful officials often face intense scrutiny once they leave office and lose the immunity of political influence.
What Comes Next?
The court has fixed January 2, 2026, for hearing his bail application. Until then, Malami remains in custody, marking one of the most dramatic reversals of fortune for a former top government official in recent Nigerian history.
Whether he is ultimately convicted or acquitted, one thing is clear: the hunter has indeed become the hunted.