Operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) were involved in a heated confrontation at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, January 2, 2026, amid the ongoing trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami, SAN.
The dispute reportedly erupted over which agency should assume control of security arrangements at the court, including access points and press clearance. Multiple sources indicate that tensions escalated to the point of mutual threats between officials, prompting heightened judiciary attention and additional press scrutiny before journalists were allowed court entry.
The clash overshadowed Malami’s bail hearing in the 16‑count money‑laundering case brought by the EFCC, which alleges unlawful asset acquisition and financial crimes involving billions of naira. Malami and co‑defendants including his son Abubakar Abdulaziz and Hajia Bashir Asabe pleaded not guilty when arraigned on related charges last December.
Legal proceedings have been marked by procedural friction: the Federal High Court remanded Malami at the Kuje Correctional Centre following his arraignment, with a bail ruling now scheduled for January 7, 2026.
Observers noted that the security clash may reflect deeper operational ambiguities about custodial responsibilities: under Nigerian law, the Nigeria Correctional Service is generally charged with detention custody, while the EFCC acts as prosecutor rather than custodian.
The courtroom tensions drew criticism from legal analysts and press freedom advocates, noting that such incidents risk undermining court decorum and public confidence in high‑profile trials.
