Tension in High Court as EFCC, NCoS Officers Clash Over Malami’s Custody

Tension flared at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) engaged in a heated confrontation over security control during the trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

The disagreement reportedly centred on which agency should assume responsibility for security at the court premises during Malami’s appearance. The former justice minister was ordered by the court on December 30 to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application scheduled for January 2.

Eyewitnesses said the altercation escalated to the point where officers from both agencies issued threats against one another at the court entrance, causing temporary disruption and heightened anxiety among court users.

As a result of the standoff, access to the courtroom was subjected to stricter controls, with both EFCC and NCoS personnel screening journalists before allowing entry. Several journalists were later denied access to the courtroom on the grounds that the hall had reached full capacity.

Malami, alongside his son, Abdulaziz, and one Asabe Bashir, is currently standing trial over allegations of fraud. The court proceedings are expected to resume with the consideration of his bail application.