Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria — Nigerian police operatives have taken control of Azbir Hotel and Azbir Arena, high-profile properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) intensifies its investigation into alleged financial improprieties involving the senior lawyer and politician.
Witnesses and local media reports say several police patrol vans and an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) were deployed at the hotel and entertainment complex in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday, December 21, 2025, with officers maintaining a visible security presence at the sites. The move comes amid ongoing civil and criminal scrutiny of Malami’s wealth and business interests following petitions and investigations by anti-corruption bodies.
The takeover is linked to EFCC investigations that have reportedly reached an advanced stage. According to petition documents seen by journalists, the anti-graft agency has filed court applications alleging a prima facie case of criminal conspiracy, corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving Malami and an associate, Temitope Isaac Adebayo. Among the allegations are controversial payments of $16.9 million in legal fees connected with the recovery of funds traced to the late military ruler Sani Abacha, which petitioners say were unjustified and constituted misuse of public funds.
The Azbir properties, described in petitions as multi-billion-naira assets disproportionate to Malami’s lawful earnings, have drawn particular attention. The Azbir Hotel and the adjoining Azbir Arena are part of a cluster of Kebbi State investments attributed to Malami’s family, including a Rayhan Rice Mill, Rayhan Private Academy and Rayhan University, as well as residential and commercial estates across Abuja, Kano and Kebbi States. Petitioners argue that these properties far exceed what could reasonably be acquired through legitimate income earned during his public service career.
Malami has been in the spotlight since late November 2025, when he was first summoned by the EFCC for questioning in connection with the probe. Initially, he was released after an engagement with the agency, describing the session as “successful” and indicating his willingness to participate in further inquiries. Subsequent reports, however, indicate he remained in EFCC custody into December after allegedly failing to meet the conditions of his administrative bail. The Commission has maintained that the bail was provisional and tied to several requirements Malami did not fulfil.
Supporters of Malami — including groups of youths in Kebbi who recently protested calling for his release — have painted the EFCC’s actions as politically motivated, asserting that the probe coincides with his recent shift into partisan politics and gubernatorial ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections. Critics within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other political circles argue that the investigation risks exploiting anti-corruption tools for political ends, raising broader concerns about the impartiality of enforcement agencies.
Responding to the controversy, the Kebbi State Government has denied any involvement in the EFCC proceedings, emphasising that the petitions prompting the investigation did not originate from the state and that local authorities have no role in the commission’s legal actions. Officials stressed that Malami’s case is a matter of federal law enforcement and judicial process, unrelated to the state administration’s governance or interests.
While neither the EFCC nor Malami’s legal team has publicly commented on the police takeover of the Azbir properties, legal observers note the deployment may be linked to asset preservation or further search efforts as part of the broader inquiry. The situation remains fluid, and further statements from law enforcement or the judiciary are expected as the investigation unfolds.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments