The Kebbi State Government has vehemently denied any involvement in the ongoing detention of former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Malami was invited by the EFCC on November 28 regarding issues related to the recovery of the Abacha loot during his tenure as the Attorney General of the Federation.

While Malami initially described his interrogation as productive and dismissed the allegations as fabricated, he has remained in EFCC custody since December 8, reportedly failing to meet his bail conditions. The situation has fueled speculation about the case being politically motivated, particularly in light of prior accusations and counter-accusations between Malami and the Kebbi State Government concerning security matters.

However, Ahmed Idris, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Nasir Idris, firmly stated that the state government has no connection to Malami’s present predicament. He characterized any claims of the government’s involvement as mischievous and lacking in empathy, emphasizing that the issues predated the current administration.

Idris elaborated that numerous petitions were filed against Malami when he expressed interest in the state’s governorship. He clarified that these petitions originated not from within Kebbi but from Abuja, submitted by some of Malami’s professional colleagues. This, he asserted, demonstrates the government’s detachment from his current legal troubles.

The Kebbi State government insists it is unaware of the precise details of Malami’s case with the EFCC. The spokesperson conveyed that attributing Malami’s detention to the state government is not only inaccurate but also reflects a cruel disregard for the facts, given the lack of any direct or indirect participation.

This strong denial from the Kebbi State Government aims to distance itself from the controversy surrounding the former Attorney General. The administration maintains its position that the allegations of its complicity are unfounded and malicious, underscoring the independent nature of the EFCC’s investigation.

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Keywords: Kebbi State Government, Abubakar Malami, EFCC detention, Abacha loot, former Attorney General, political motivation, Ahmed Idris, corruption allegations