A group of Nigerian legislative lawyers has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to disqualify the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria from standing as a surety for former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
The lawyers, operating under the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP), made the request in a formal letter addressed to the Chairman of the EFCC. The letter was dated December 24, 2025, and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The development followed the granting of interim bail to Malami by a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Tuesday. Malami is currently being detained by the EFCC over an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption linked to his time as Attorney General of the Federation.
Justice Bello Kawu, who presided over the matter, granted Malami bail under conditions earlier proposed by the EFCC. These conditions include the surrender of Malami’s international passport and the provision of two sureties who must execute bail bonds on his behalf.
According to court records, the two sureties presented for Malami’s bail include the Director-General of the Nigerian Legal Aid Council and a serving member of the House of Representatives representing the Augie/Argungu Federal Constituency.
However, ALDRAP has raised serious objections to the inclusion of the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council as a surety in the matter. The group argued that the official does not meet the legal requirements to act as a surety under Nigerian law.
In its letter to the EFCC, ALDRAP cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which governs criminal trials and procedures in Nigeria. The association specifically referred to Section 167(1) of the Act, which outlines the conditions a person must meet to qualify as a surety.
The letter is titled, “Request for application of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, for the disqualification of the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria as one of the two sureties for former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, because of his 0% score in the 2024 anti-corruption index of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC).”
The letter was signed by the Secretary of ALDRAP, Dr Tonye Clinton Jaja.
In the letter, the association explained that the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, under the leadership of its current Director-General, was listed among federal government agencies that scored zero percent in the 2024 anti-corruption index published by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to ALDRAP, this rating raises serious concerns about the integrity and suitability of the Director-General to stand as a surety for a person facing corruption-related investigation.
“The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria which is currently headed by the said Director-General is listed amongst the federal government agencies that scored zero percent (0%) in the ICPC anti-corruption index,” the letter stated.
“The implication is that such a person who refused to comply with the ICPC anti-corruption index is not fit and proper to stand as surety for Malami, who is himself undergoing investigation and prosecution for corruption,” the association added.
ALDRAP also used the opportunity to introduce itself in the letter, explaining its mandate and role in promoting compliance with Nigeria’s laws.
“By way of re-introduction, our Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, ALDRAP, is incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, in the year 2017,” the letter read.
“We ensure that both individuals and institutions comply with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, and other relevant laws,” it added.
The group urged the EFCC to apply the law strictly and ensure that only qualified and credible persons are allowed to stand as sureties in high-profile cases, especially those involving allegations of corruption.
Abubakar Malami served as Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023. During his tenure, he was one of the most powerful figures in the administration, overseeing legal matters and advising the federal government.
Since leaving office, Malami has been linked to several corruption allegations, many of which are now under investigation by anti-corruption agencies. The EFCC’s current probe is part of broader efforts by the government to hold former public officials accountable.
The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria is a federal agency responsible for providing free legal services to indigent Nigerians who cannot afford legal representation. The agency is expected to uphold high ethical standards due to its role in promoting access to justice.
The ICPC’s ethics and integrity index assesses public institutions based on transparency, accountability, and compliance with anti-corruption measures. Agencies that score poorly often face public criticism and pressure to improve their internal processes.
Legal analysts say the request by ALDRAP highlights growing public attention on the integrity of judicial processes, including bail procedures. They note that while bail is a constitutional right, the credibility of sureties is also important to maintain public confidence in the justice system.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued an official response to ALDRAP’s letter. It remains unclear whether the commission will act on the request or seek clarification from the court.