The office of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has issued a stern press release alleging a "deliberate attempt" by state security agencies to frustrate his legal defence and violate his fundamental rights.
The allegations centre on Malami's recent detention by the Department of State Services (DSS), which his office claims was timed to cripple his ability to defend himself in an ongoing interim forfeiture case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, the sequence of events began after the Federal High Court granted Malami bail on EFCC charges. The office alleges the EFCC then delayed submitting his international passports, a key bail condition, to the court for about a week, "unnecessarily prolonging his detention."
"A Pattern of Frustration"
The release states that immediately after Malami perfected his bail and was released from the Kuje Custodial Centre, he was rearrested by operatives of the DSS.
He was subsequently held for five days, allegedly "without access to his lawyers or family," and only permitted to consult his legal team last Friday after what the statement describes as "prolonged isolation, delays, and grave violations of his fundamental human rights."
Critical Timing for Court Case
Malami's office emphasises that this detention occurred at a "critical time" when he was required to prepare and open his defence in the separate EFCC interim forfeiture proceeding before the Federal High Court. They argue that denying him access to counsel during this period "directly impaired his ability to consult, prepare filings, and give instructions, amounting to a clear frustration of due process."
The statement condemns what it calls an emerging pattern "where arrest precedes investigation, with evidence sought after detention," labelling it a "blatant violation of the rule of law." It further accuses the DSS of adopting a similar practice.
A Call to Uphold Court Authority
"The Office stresses that bail granted by a court must have meaning," the release reads. "No agency should be permitted to neutralise judicial orders through coordinated delays, rearrests, or denial of access to legal representation. Such actions undermine the authority of the courts and pose a serious threat to fundamental human rights."
The statement concludes by asserting Malami's readiness to defend himself in court while calling on all state institutions to respect judicial orders and constitutional guarantees.
As of the time of publication, the EFCC and DSS have not issued public responses to these specific allegations. The developments mark a significant and contentious chapter in the legal challenges facing the former minister.
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