Bail Dispute Deepens as Malami EFCC Clash Over Court Order

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A fresh legal controversy has emerged between former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the enforcement of a court-ordered bail.

Malami has accused the anti-graft agency of disregarding the rule of law by allegedly refusing to comply with a bail order issued by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

According to reports, the court had granted bail to the former AGF. However, the EFCC has pushed back against the allegation, insisting that it was never officially served with the court order authorising Malami’s release.

In a statement released by Malami’s media office and signed by Mohammed Doka, the former justice minister maintained that both the EFCC and its legal representatives were duly served shortly after the ruling was delivered.

The statement claimed that a court bailiff attempted to serve the order at the EFCC’s office but alleged that officials of the commission refused to acknowledge or accept the legal documents.

Describing the EFCC’s position as inaccurate, Malami’s camp stressed that the service of the order followed due legal procedure and that documentary evidence exists to confirm proper service.

“The assertion that the EFCC was not served is false and misleading,” the statement noted, adding that all court rules governing service were strictly observed.

Responding to the allegation, EFCC’s lead counsel, Barrister Okutepa, SAN, rejected the claims, arguing that the commission cannot be accused of violating a court order it was never formally notified of.

He emphasized that compliance with judicial decisions depends on proper service, stating that due process must be upheld not only in the issuance of court orders but also in how they are communicated to concerned parties.