Kebbi Govt: We Didn’t Petition EFCC Against Malami

The Kebbi State Government has distanced itself from the investigation of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), insisting it played no role in his ordeal.

The government said the petitions being probed by the anti-graft agency did not emanate from Kebbi State, dismissing claims that the probe was politically motivated.

Malami was invited by the EFCC on November 28 over issues linked to the recovery of Abacha loot during his tenure as AGF. He later disclosed via his X handle that his interrogation was “productive,” describing the allegations against him as “fabricated.”

However, the former minister returned to the EFCC on December 8 and has remained in custody after allegedly failing to meet his bail conditions. His detention came shortly after he declared his intention to contest the Kebbi State governorship election in 2027.

Speculation had trailed his arrest, with claims on social media suggesting political undercurrents, especially following public exchanges between Malami and the Kebbi State Government over insecurity in the state.

But the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Nasir Idris, Ahmed Idris, refuted the allegations.
Speaking, he said: “The Kebbi State Government has no hand whatsoever in Malami’s matter. The issue predates this administration.

“Several petitions were written against him when he indicated interest in the governorship. Those petitions did not even come from Kebbi; they came from Abuja and from some of his colleagues.

“Anyone linking the Kebbi State Government to Malami’s EFCC case is being mischievous, wicked and heartless. The state government does not even know the details of what is going on in his case.”

The government urged the public to disregard insinuations of political interference, maintaining that due process should be allowed to take its course.