Reports online suggest that the confrontation stemmed from a dispute between the two agencies over which of them should take charge of security during the former minister’s court appearance.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) on Friday clashed at the Federal High Court in Abuja over the trial of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
Reports online suggest that the confrontation stemmed from a dispute between the two agencies over which of them should take charge of security during the former minister’s court appearance.
On December 30, the court had ordered Malami’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre until January 2, when his bail application would be heard.
During Friday’s proceedings, officials of both agencies were said to have engaged in a heated argument, with threats reportedly exchanged over control of security at the court’s entrance.
According to Leadership Newspaper, journalists were subjected to clearance by both EFCC and NCoS officials before being allowed access to the court premises.
However, several journalists were eventually denied entry into the courtroom, with officials claiming that the courtroom was already filled to capacity.
Last Tuesday, Malami, his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and one of his wives, Hajia Bashir Asabe, were arraigned by the EFCC on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, unlawful acquisition of assets and conspiracy.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them.
Following the arraignment, counsel for the defendants informed the court of their intention to apply for bail, prompting the trial judge to adjourn the case and order their remand in Kuje Correctional Centre.
Malami served as Attorney-General of the Federation from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari and was one of the most influential officials in the administration.