Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, was taken into custody by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday, shortly after his release from Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.
The development follows ongoing investigations into allegations of terrorism financing against the former minister, according to security sources.
A source familiar with the matter confirmed the arrest, stating, “Yes, it is true that DSS operatives arrested Abubakar Malami, SAN. There are several petitions against him bordering on alleged terrorism financing. Terrorism and terrorism financing are serious offences globally. You’ll recall that when Abubakar Malami was Attorney General, he vowed that the government of the day would not shield any person linked to terrorism or terrorism financing. No responsible government would, in the same vein, turn a blind eye to weighty allegations against any individual, no matter how highly placed.”
The source explained that inter-agency cooperation is a routine part of investigations, with one security agency occasionally handing over a person under probe to another. “In Nigeria, the DSS is the sole security agency tasked with investigating such allegations. It is best to allow them do their job,” the source added.
Malami, who had been granted bail on January 7 by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, joined the DSS in their vehicle immediately after exiting the correctional centre. The bail conditions required Malami, his wife Asabe, and his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami to deposit N500 million each, provide two sureties with verifiable landed property within Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa, surrender international passports, and refrain from travelling abroad without prior permission.
The former AGF, his wife, and his son were remanded at Kuje following their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on December 29, 2025, on 16 counts of alleged money laundering involving approximately N8.7 billion. Court documents indicate that Malami and his son allegedly used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal over N1 billion between July 2022 and June 2025, with additional funds allegedly passing through a Sterling Bank account and property acquisitions in Maitama. All defendants pleaded not guilty.
The EFCC clarified that it did not re-arrest Malami following his release, with spokesman Dele Oyewale reiterating that the agency’s involvement had concluded upon the completion of bail conditions. Security footage obtained by reporters shows Malami asking DSS operatives for identification before entering a black vehicle shortly after leaving Kuje prison. Efforts to obtain comment from the DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations, Favour Dozie, were unsuccessful.
Sources further indicated that during previous searches, arms were discovered at Malami’s Kebbi country home by EFCC operatives, and that allegations of a plot to re-arrest him from Kuje Prison had been raised by his office in recent statements.
The interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to Malami, valued at N213 billion, remains part of the ongoing proceedings as the DSS continues its probe. Malami, his wife, and son remain subject to court directives and DSS supervision while the investigation continues.
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