The former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, remains in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, as his detention hits its fourth day.
Malami has been held since Monday after failing to satisfy bail requirements set by EFCC.
He is being investigated in connection with 18 offences, which include claims of abuse of office and financing terrorism.
Through his media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami rejected all allegations of terrorism financing, describing the claims as false, baseless, and part of a coordinated media trial.
He also dismissed reports suggesting he controlled 46 bank accounts, saying there is no official evidence supporting the claim.
Malami noted that Maj. Gen. Ali-Keffi (rtd) had clarified that he never accused the former AGF of funding terrorism.
He said the recent questioning by the EFCC was focused on an alleged duplication in the recovery of the Abacha loot.
He explained that no recovery process had been concluded before 2016, making claims of duplication inaccurate.
He also addressed reports involving a Swiss lawyer, noting that the lawyer had requested up to 40 percent in fees, which was rejected due to a government cap of five percent.
According to Malami, the appointment of Nigerian lawyers under the capped fee saved the country billions of naira.
Malami said the repatriated Abacha loot between 2017 and 2020 was managed in separate tranches with oversight from the world bank, civil society groups, and international partners.
The former minister highlighted his contributions while in office, including establishing the Nigerian financial intelligence unit and supporting the passage of the money laundering (prevention and prohibition) act and the terrorism (prevention and prohibition) act, 2022.
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