COURT UPHOLDS EFCC'S DETENTION OF FORMER AGF MALAMI

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BY JENN NOMAMIUKOR

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has decided to keep a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), in custody.

Judge Babangida Hassan rejected Malami’s request for bail, saying his detention was legal.

This ruling was shared in a statement from the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale.

The statement says that Malami, with his lawyer Mr Sulaiman Hassan (SAN), asked the court to review his detention by the EFCC, claiming it was not allowed because it was part of an ongoing investigation.

The lawyer representing the EFCC, Mr J.S. Okutepa (SAN), said in court that the former minister was being kept in custody under a valid remand order from the FCT High Court, which was given by Justice S. C. Oriji.

He explained that in his decision, Justice Hassan cited Section 35 of the Constitution, stating that because the Administration of Criminal Justice Act allows for detention, Malami was properly held under the court‘s remand order.

Justice Hassan also said that asking this court to approve the application is like asking it to act as an appellate court over a case already handled by another court of equal authority, which this court is not allowed to do, according to Oyewale.