The political camp of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has been thrown into disarray following his ongoing legal battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, a development widely seen as a major setback to his 2027 governorship ambition in Kebbi State.
Recall that in July 2025, Malami dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 Kebbi governorship election, promising to “restore hope” to the state.
His declaration was greeted with mixed reactions across Kebbi.
While many of his supporters applauded the move and described it as a bold and welcome development, critics insisted that his ambition was “dead on arrival.”
Among the most vocal critics was Yahya Sarki, Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, who openly questioned Malami’s eligibility to contest for any elective office.
Saraki argued that the former AGF “lacks the integrity” to seek public office, citing the pending 16-count charges against him.
Barely four months after declaring his ambition, Malami was arrested by the EFCC on December 8, 2025, over allegations bordering on money laundering and abuse of office.
The EFCC is prosecuting Malami alongside his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, Hajia Asabe Bashir, over allegations of conspiracy and concealment of proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to billions of naira.
The alleged offences are said to have been committed between November 2015 and June 2025. Malami has consistently denied all the allegations, including claims involving N12 billion allegedly laundered.
However, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja recently ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly linked to the former AGF.
The order was granted by Justice Emeka Nwite following an ex parte application filed by the EFCC through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho.
The court development has further unsettled Malami’s political camp.
DAILY POST gathered that Malami’s supporters in Kebbi State have been left in confusion following his arrest and detention.
A visit to his residence at Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, showed an unusual calm, as the once-busy mansion was almost deserted.
A few individuals seen around the premises spoke in hushed tones, apparently discussing the former AGF’s ordeal. Attempts to speak with them were declined.
Similarly, a visit to the ADC secretariat along Emir Haruna Rasheed Road in Birnin Kebbi revealed minimal activity, a sharp contrast to the usual political bustle since Malami joined the party.
Many attributed the lull to the uncertainty surrounding Malami’s legal trouble.
Malami has remained in the eye of the storm since declaring his intention to govern the state.
DAILY POST recalls that in September 2025, he narrowly escaped death when his convoy was attacked by suspected political thugs in Birnin Kebbi.
The attack occurred shortly after he returned from a condolence visit, with about 10 vehicles destroyed and several supporters injured.
Many political observers linked the incident to opponents allegedly bent on weakening and frustrating his ambition.
Clearing the field for the incumbent?
With the unfolding developments, Malami is widely believed to be facing serious distractions ahead of the 2027 polls, a situation some analysts said could clear the path for the incumbent governor, Nasir Idris.
Before Malami’s defection to the ADC, Idris was believed to have no serious challenger in the state.
The hitherto leading opposition PDP had largely weakened following the defection of key figures in May 2025, including: Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) and Senator Garba Musa Maidoki (Kebbi South) to the APC.
Malami’s entry into the race initially changed the political equation, but the ongoing court case now appears to have stalled the momentum.
Malami camp cries foul
However, supporters of the former AGF have remained unperturbed over the developments, dismissing it as a media trial and political persecution.
Mohammed Bello Doka, Special Assistant on Media to Malami, alleged that his principal was only being witch-hunted.
He said, “It is therefore disturbing that the EFCC chose to weaponise a routine judicial admonition and spin it into a sensational narrative aimed at tarnishing Malami’s image in the court of public opinion.
“This approach further reinforces our long-held position that the EFCC is persisting in a media trial, rather than allowing the case to be determined strictly on the basis of evidence and due process before the court,” he said in a statement.
The case has also attracted criticisms from opposition figures both in the state and the country.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused the EFCC of turning the fight against corruption into “a full-blown political witch-hunt,” alleging selective prosecution of opposition figures.
“The politicisation of corruption investigations has rendered the EFCC’s credibility suspect and rubbished the ideals that inspired its establishment,” Atiku said.
He added that the agency became “suddenly hyperactive” following the emergence of the ADC as a strong opposition platform, allegedly targeting figures such as Malami and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
The Kebbi State chapter of the ADC also condemned Malami’s prosecution, describing it as politically motivated and aimed at undermining his governorship ambition.
“From all available evidence, Malami did not violate any of the legal conditions attached to his initial bail.
“As a senior lawyer and former number one law officer in the country, he understands what it means to violate bail conditions.
“However, what he probably did not understand was that attending a political gathering in furtherance of his governorship ambition in his home state of Kebbi could be the basis for revoking his bail by the EFCC, even though he has cooperated fully with the agency’s investigators,” the party said.
2027 outlook
Political observers have said the outcome of Malami’s trial could significantly influence the dynamics of the 2027 Kebbi governorship race.
While constitutional provisions allow him to contest as long as he is not convicted, analysts have noted that his 2026 political trajectory will largely be shaped by two factors: his ability to secure bail and sustain grassroots mobilisation and his capacity to manage what many describe as a “trial by public opinion.”
The central question remains whether Malami can maintain political relevance while defending himself in what is shaping up to be one of the most consequential corruption trials in recent Nigerian history.
