Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), spent Monday night in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as investigators intensified questioning over a series of high-profile financial transactions linked to his tenure.

Sources told SaharaReporters that Malami was searching for two permanent secretaries to serve as sureties to meet bail conditions. An associate said Malami was invited for interrogation earlier in the day but arrived late, prompting EFCC officials to continue the questioning overnight.

The ongoing probe reportedly focuses on 46 bank accounts allegedly tied to Malami. The EFCC is revisiting controversial transactions during his time in office under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, including:

• $496 million payment to Global Steel Holdings Ltd (GSHL) for the Ajaokuta Steel concession termination.
• The $419 million judgment debt awarded to consultants involved in the Paris Club refund process.
• Approval of $200 million compensation to Sunrise Power in the disputed Mambilla power project.
• Alleged duplication of legal fees related to the transfer of $321 million Abacha loot from Switzerland.

Malami, who was previously interrogated on November 29, dismissed the allegations as “baseless, illogical, and devoid of substance,” insisting that the claims would collapse under factual scrutiny. He argued that prior recovery processes cited by EFCC were incomplete when he assumed office in 2015.

Despite the probe, Malami appears undeterred in his political ambitions. On November 17, he announced his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kebbi State. He had resigned from the APC in July before joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing national interest and concern over worsening hardship in the country.