By DAYO ADESULU
Lagos, Nigeria — Human rights activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore has weighed in forcefully on the continued detention of former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Chika Malami, SAN, who is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraud, money laundering, and abuse of office.
Sowore’s comments, shared in a statement circulated on social media, emphasise his position that no Nigerian, regardless of status, should be subjected to extrajudicial action outside the law.
Sowore’s statement comes amid mounting public scrutiny over the treatment of Malami, who has been detained for weeks as the EFCC probes multiple financial irregularities linked to his time as Nigeria’s chief law officer. The anti-graft agency has publicly said the former minister is being investigated for at least 18 offences, including money laundering, abuse of office, and suspected financing of terrorism.
Activist Urges Respect for Court Orders
In his message, Sowore was clear that he “will never support extrajudicial measures against anyone.” He specifically called on the EFCC to comply with a court order granting bail to Malami, arguing that the arrest and detention processes must adhere strictly to judicial directives and constitutional safeguards. According to recent reports, a High Court in Abuja granted Malami interim bail on December 23, 2025, with conditions including surrender of his international passport and provision of sureties — terms reportedly agreed by the former AGF’s legal team.
Despite the court’s intervention, Malami remains in EFCC custody, with his media aide alleging that the commission has refused to accept the bail documentation and has defied the court order, effectively prolonging his detention. � Sowore’s appeal, therefore, aligns with widespread concerns from legal observers and civil society activists about the rule of law and executive compliance with judicial authority.
Drawing on Personal Experience
Sowore also invoked his own experience with detention under the Muhammadu Buhari administration to frame his argument. He recalled that in 2019, he was granted bail after four months in detention. However, the then-Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, SAN, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, imposed profiling and other conditions on his sureties, which Sowore refused to comply with — a decision that extended his period in custody. This personal context bolsters Sowore’s stance that due process must be upheld for all individuals, no matter the allegations they face.
“Despicable Conduct” and Impunity
While maintaining his fundamental principle against extrajudicial measures, Sowore did not hold back in his criticism of the political culture surrounding Malami and the broader Buhari era governance. He described what he termed the “despicable conduct of the @MBuhari’s and the Malamis”, accusing them of “governing with arrogance and impunity, acting as though there would be no tomorrow and no accountability for their actions.”
These strongly worded remarks reflect Sowore’s broader critique of impunity within Nigeria’s political elite and echo public frustration with high-profile corruption cases that seem to evade legal accountability. Critics have long argued that powerful figures are treated differently within the justice system, a grievance that Sowore’s commentary seeks to highlight.
Broader Legal Context
The dispute over Malami’s detention has drawn attention to the EFCC’s enforcement practices and the judiciary’s role in ensuring suspects’ rights are protected. While the anti-graft agency insists its detention of Malami is lawful and based on valid remand orders, legal experts have questioned whether continued detention despite a court-granted bail order erodes public confidence in legal institutions. �
Nairametrics
Malami’s legal team has labelled his continued incarceration a breach of legal procedures and a violation of fundamental human rights, calling on oversight bodies to intervene and uphold the sanctity of court orders. �
Independent Newspaper Nigeria
A Call for Due Process and Justice
Sowore’s position reflects a broader demand from activists, lawyers, and civil society that justice in Nigeria must be blind to power and influence. His call for respect of court orders and lawful process reinforces the principle that no one is above the law — not even former high-ranking government officials.
As the case unfolds in both legal and public arenas, Sowore’s intervention highlights the tension between anti-corruption efforts and fundamental rights protections. Observers say the resolution of this matter could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s justice system and democratic norms.
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