Abubakar Malami (SAN), the former Attorney General of the Federation, may remain in the custody of the Department of State Services for an extended period.
Numerous security sources indicated that Malami is likely to face extended detention, as the DSS is in the process of securing a court order to maintain his custody until the investigations are completed.
Malami’s recent challenges started on Monday when DSS agents arrested him immediately after he secured his bail and was freed from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. He was taken into custody just minutes after exiting the facility, where he had been held since early December due to accusations made against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Security sources suggest that the DSS is requesting a court order to extend his detention, pointing to the delicate and intricate nature of the inquiries, which are anticipated to last for months.
The previous AGF was initially detained by the EFCC due to accusations that he colluded with his wife, Asabe, and their son to hide proceeds from illegal activities amounting to approximately N8.7bn.
The anti-corruption agency indicated that the purported crimes entailed the utilization of various corporate entities, bank accounts, and significant real estate deals in Abuja and other regions of the nation.
The three individuals were formally charged on December 29, 2025, in a Federal High Court in Abuja on 16 allegations related to money laundering and conspiracy. All of them entered a plea of not guilty to the accusations.
Prior to their arraignment, Malami could not fulfill the bail requirements that were previously granted, resulting in his ongoing detention since December 8. On December 18, a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory, led by Justice Babangida Hassan, affirmed his detention, stating that it was legal given the circumstances. On January 7, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court granted bail to Malami, his wife, and his son, each in the amount of N500m, with strict conditions.
The EFCC claimed in the allegations that the defendants colluded to hide the proceeds of illegal activities via various corporate firms, bank accounts, and expensive real estate deals in Abuja and other areas across the country amounting to N8.7bn. They denied guilt to the 16 accusations.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on January 7, however, approved bail for Malami, his wife, and his son at N500 million each.
Justice Nwite mandated that every defendant provide two sureties with verifiable real estate in the Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa regions of Abuja.
The court ordered that the title documents of the properties be submitted to the court for inspection by the Deputy Chief Registrar, and the sureties were to provide affidavits of means.
Twelve days after his bail was granted, Malami finalized his bail and was departing the correctional center when the DSS apprehended him.
Chronicle NG gathered that the ex-AGF might not be released anytime soon, as investigations may take months.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Malami is being interrogated over his handling of the list of Nigerian terror financiers released by the United Arab Emirates.
A source familiar with the matter told the press, “The investigation is likely going to take a long time. This is why we are working to get a court order on Wednesday (today) to detain him further.
“There are several issues he is being questioned on. One of them is the handling of the terrorism financiers list released by the UAE in 2021 and some terror financiers during his term as the AGF. So, this investigation will take a very long time. I am not sure he will be released anytime soon.”
In 2021, officials in the United Arab Emirates labeled six Nigerians connected to the militant group Boko Haram as financiers of terrorism.
The UAE Cabinet released Resolution No. 83 of 2021, identifying 38 individuals and 15 organizations on its authorized list of persons and entities backing Boko Haram and various terrorist activities.
The people named by the UAE authorities consisted of Abdurrahaman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad. The publication of the list generated significant debate in Nigeria, prompting inquiries into how alleged terror financiers could function in the country and whether Nigerian officials had responded effectively to intelligence provided by foreign nations.
Ironically, Malami had consistently pledged during his time as Attorney General that the government would not protect anyone associated with terrorism or its funding.
He asserted openly that regardless of status, anyone deemed guilty would face prosecution according to the law. It is reported that investigators are reexamining those statements given the accusations currently directed at him.
Political analysts highlight that Malami’s situation illustrates a wider trend of post-tenure examination of former high-ranking officials, especially those who had significant power during the Muhammadu Buhari government.
During his tenure as AGF and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023, Malami participated in numerous prominent cases, such as recovering assets, prosecuting corruption suspects, and issuing contentious legal opinions that frequently sparked public discussions.
A different source indicated that Malami is also under investigation regarding an arms stockpile reportedly discovered at his Kebbi residence, alongside allegations of terrorism and related financing against him.
“He will also be probed on the arms cache found in his Kebbi home. Beyond this, there are several petitions against him bordering on alleged terrorism financing. Terrorism and terrorism financing are serious offenses globally. You’ll recall that when Abubakar Malami, SAN, was the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, he vowed that the government of the day would not shield any person or persons linked to terrorism or terrorism financing.
“No responsible government would, in the same vein, fold its hands or turn a blind eye to weighty allegations of terrorism financing leveled against any individual, no matter how highly placed; in this case, Malami, SAN.
“In the course of investigations, we have what is called inter-agency cooperation. It is not uncommon for one security agency to hand over a person under investigation to another sister security agency. In Nigeria, the DSS is the sole security agency tasked with the responsibility of investigating such allegations. It’ll be best to allow them to do their job,” the source said.
