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ALDRAP urges EFCC to disqualify Legal Aid DG as Malami surety

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6 months ago

December 24, 2025

ALDRAP urges EFCC to disqualify Legal Aid Council DG as surety for Abubakar Malami, citing zero score on ICPC 2024 anti-corruption index

The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to disqualify the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council from acting as surety for former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

Also read: EFCC Uncovers N212bn Assets Linked to Malami

The call follows a Federal Capital Territory High Court ruling on Tuesday granting Malami interim bail in an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption.

The court’s bail conditions include the surrender of Malami’s international passport and the execution of bail bonds by two sureties, one of whom is the Legal Aid Council DG, alongside a serving member of the House of Representatives representing Augie/Argungu Federal Constituency.

In a letter dated 24 December 2025 and addressed to the EFCC chairman, ALDRAP argued that the Legal Aid Council DG is unfit to serve as a bail surety, citing the agency’s zero percent score in the 2024 anti-corruption index released by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The association’s Secretary, Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, emphasised that under Section 167(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, a surety must meet integrity and ethical standards, which the DG allegedly fails to satisfy.

“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 letter stated.

ALDRAP highlighted its mandate to ensure both individuals and institutions comply with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, and other relevant laws, describing the request as an application of legal and ethical standards in the administration of justice.