The legal drama surrounding former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, took a new turn on Monday as the Federal High Court in Abuja granted him interim bail and adjourned his case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to January 5, 2026.
In a ruling that momentarily eased tensions around the high-profile prosecution, the court ordered Malami’s release on bail under conditions identical to those earlier proposed by the EFCC, signaling judicial caution while the substantive matter proceeds.
According to the court order, Malami is to surrender his international passport to the court as part of measures to ensure his availability for trial. He is also required to execute bail bonds backed by two credible sureties, a condition the court described as sufficient to guarantee compliance with its processes.
Notably, the calibre of the sureties underscored the seriousness attached to the bail arrangement. One of the sureties is the Director-General of the Nigerian Legal Aid Council, while the second is a serving member of the House of Representatives, representing the Augie/Argungu Federal Constituency.
Legal observers say the choice of sureties reflects the court’s intent to strike a balance between Malami’s constitutional right to personal liberty and the need to safeguard the integrity of the judicial process in a case attracting national attention.
The former Attorney-General, who served at the apex of Nigeria’s legal system, is facing allegations being investigated by the EFCC, although the court has yet to delve into the substantive issues of the case. Monday’s proceedings were therefore limited to bail considerations and procedural directions.
By adjourning the matter to January 5, 2026, the court granted both parties ample time to prepare for the next phase of the trial, which is expected to draw intense public and media scrutiny, given Malami’s past role as the nation’s chief law officer.
Inside the courtroom, the atmosphere was tense but orderly as lawyers on both sides exchanged measured arguments. When the ruling was delivered, Malami’s legal team expressed satisfaction, describing the decision as a reaffirmation of the principle that bail remains a right and not a privilege, except in exceptional circumstances.
On its part, the EFCC maintained that it would diligently prosecute the case, insisting that the interim bail does not in any way weaken its resolve to pursue accountability.
As Malami steps out on interim freedom, all eyes now turn to January 2026, when the court is expected to begin substantive hearings in a case that could test the boundaries of power, responsibility, and the rule of law in Nigeria’s evolving anti-corruption landscape.
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