Multiple petitions submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have accused a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, of involvement in an alleged $16.9 million legal fees scam linked to the recovery of the Sani Abacha loot, as well as money laundering, abuse of office and accumulation of assets said to be far beyond his legitimate earnings.
Court documents and petitions seen by SaharaReporters show that the allegations form the basis of an application filed by the EFCC before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking an order to remand Malami and one of his associates, Temitope Isaac Adebayo, in EFCC custody for 14 days pending further investigation.
In a motion ex parte and an affidavit deposed to by an EFCC investigator, the anti-graft agency disclosed that it received several petitions against Malami from different organisations, including the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), Karlos Community Development and Empowerment Initiative, and Grassroot Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance (GAPAG).
According to the EFCC, preliminary investigation arising from the petitions revealed allegations that Malami, while serving as the nation’s chief law officer, authorised and facilitated the payment of $16.9 million in legal fees to two individuals described as “new lawyers” for the recovery of funds traced to the late former Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
The petitions allege that the services for which the fees were paid had already been completed by foreign legal counsel previously engaged and fully paid by the Federal Government, making the fresh payments unnecessary and fraudulent.
The EFCC further alleged that Malami used his position as Attorney-General to confer undue advantage on his associate, the second respondent, in transactions now under investigation.
The agency said the investigation so far points to a prima facie case of criminal conspiracy, corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering against the respondents.
Beyond the alleged $16.9 million payment, the petitions also raised questions about what they described as Malami’s “unexplained wealth” and ownership of high-value assets allegedly disproportionate to his known earnings before and during his time in public office.
Among the properties listed in the petitions are Azbir Hotel and Azbir Arena, an expansive entertainment and hospitality complex in Birnin Kebbi said to be worth several billions of naira; Rayhan Rice Mill, Rayhan Private Academy (Nursery, Primary and Secondary School), and Rayhan University, all located in Kebbi State; as well as multiple residential and commercial properties in Abuja, Kano and Kebbi, some valued in hundreds of millions of naira.
Petitioners alleged that prior to his appointment as Attorney-General in 2015, Malami could not have legitimately afforded such assets, insisting that their scale and value far exceed his lawful income as a public servant and legal practitioner.
They urged the EFCC to investigate the source of funds used to acquire the properties and to freeze any assets and bank accounts linked to him pending the outcome of the probe.
Additional allegations contained in the petitions include claims that Malami facilitated the unauthorised auction of seized crude oil vessels under questionable legal circumstances, distributed luxury vehicles allegedly worth over ₦1 billion, and attempted to interfere in high-profile corruption cases by recommending the discontinuation of prosecutions involving politically exposed persons.
In its application before the court, the EFCC stated that Malami was invited and reported to the Commission on November 28, 2025, after which he was granted provisional administrative bail pending the fulfilment of strict conditions.
However, the Commission alleged that he failed to meet the bail conditions and subsequently “jumped” the temporary bail.
The EFCC further told the court that it had intelligence suggesting that Malami had perfected plans to flee the country and had begun intimidating potential witnesses, actions which it said could frustrate the investigation and any eventual prosecution.
On this basis, the agency asked the court to remand the respondents in its custody to preserve the integrity of the investigation and prevent interference with witnesses.
The petitions, according to the EFCC, were submitted in the public interest and called for a thorough investigation to safeguard the integrity of the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and reinforce public confidence in the fight against corruption.
