Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over fresh allegations bordering on terrorism financing.
Security sources disclosed that Malami was taken into custody on Monday shortly after he was released from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, where he had been remanded over an ongoing money laundering trial.
According to the sources, DSS operatives picked up the former minister immediately after he exited the correctional facility, following the completion of his bail conditions.
Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed that Malami was released after perfecting the bail granted by the Federal High Court.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain official confirmation from the DSS were unsuccessful.
Malami’s release followed a bail ruling delivered on January 7, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The court granted bail to Malami, his wife Asabe, and their son in the sum of ₦500 million each, with stringent conditions.
The defendants were ordered to present two sureties each, with verifiable landed property within Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa areas of Abuja. They were also directed to deposit property documents with the court, submit affidavits of means, surrender their international passports, and refrain from travelling outside the country without court approval.
Malami, his wife, and son were initially remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre after their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on December 29, 2025. They are facing 16 counts of alleged money laundering involving approximately ₦8.7 billion.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants employed multiple corporate entities, bank accounts, and high-value real estate transactions to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities.
Allegations of Bias
Amid his legal battle with the EFCC, Malami has accused the commission’s chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, of bias and conflict of interest, calling for his recusal from matters relating to his case.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Mohammed Bello, Malami described the EFCC chairman’s continued involvement as “legally untenable, morally indefensible, and constitutionally impermissible,” citing provisions of Chapter 9 of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report.
The statement noted that Malami, while serving as Attorney-General, supervised the establishment of the Justice Ayo Salami Commission to investigate allegations of corruption and abuse of office within the EFCC. It added that Olukoyede served as secretary to the commission at the time.
According to Malami, Chapter 9 of the report addressed the conduct of senior EFCC officials and created what he described as “personal and professional exposure” for individuals now overseeing his prosecution.
Responding to the allegations, the EFCC chairman maintained that the investigation was not politically motivated, stressing that the agency operates without regard to political affiliation.
He stated that the probe into Malami began before his appointment as EFCC chairman and that his role was limited to ensuring that the investigation was conducted thoroughly and professionally.
The case continues to draw national attention as security agencies intensify actions against high-profile corruption and financial crime allegations.
DSS Arrests Ex-Attorney General Abubakar Malami Over Fresh Terrorism Financing Allegations
