DSS Arrests Malami After Leaving Kuje Prison, Reason Emerges
- DSS arrests former AGF Abubakar Malami outside Kuje Correctional Centre after his release
- Malami facing money laundering charges, granted N500 million bail by Federal High Court
- Court orders temporary forfeiture of 57 properties linked to Malami to the Federal Government
The operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, in Abuja on Monday, January 19.
It was learnt that the former minister was picked up in front of the Kuje Correctional Centre, shortly after he was released from the facility.
Source: Twitter
Vanguard reported that a video on social media showed the former minister walking towards a vehicle suspected to belong to the secret police, moments after leaving the prison facility. Before he entered the van, Malami was observed asking the DSS officers to identify themselves, and they presented their identity cards.
Court grants bail to Malami
Two weeks ago, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja granted N500 million with two sureties to Malami, his wife and son. Justice Emeka Nwite of the trial court, in his ruling on Wednesday, January 7, explained that the sureties must have landed property in Asokoto, Maitama or Gwarinpa areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The court also added that Malami, his wife, and son must also submit their travel documents to the court, and the trial of the former minister will resume on February 17.
Last week, the court postponed the bail application of Malami, who served as AGF under the late Muhammadu Buhari. The former minister is facing alleged money laundering charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Malami had earlier been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is facing the trial along with his son, Abdulaziz and one of his wives, Bashir Asaba, on a 16-count charge levelled against them by the EFCC. The anti-graft agency accused the Malamis of laundering ₦8.7 billion, but they have pleaded not guilty to the charges during their arraignment on Monday, December 29, 2025.
Court orders Malami to forfeit his property
In another verdict, the court ordered Malami to temporarily forfeit 57 properties linked to him to the Federal Government. Justice Nwite gave the interim forfeiture order after an ex parte motion was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and moved by Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), the anti-graft agency's counsel.
This came days after reports indicated that the EFCC had discovered 41 properties linked to Malami, who served under the immediate past administration of late Muhammadu Buhari. The report indicated that the properties included hotels, residential buildings, schools, lands and a printing press, which are located in Kano, Kebbi and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The properties of the former minister in Kebbi state are valued at N162,195,950,000, while the ones in Kano state are estimated to be N16,011,800,000. His assets in the FCT are said to be worth N34,685,000,000.
Source: Facebook
Malami asks EFCC chairman to recuse himself
Legit.ng earlier reported that former President Muhammadu Buhari's minister of justice and AGF, Abubakar Malami, has called on the current chairman of the EFCC to recuse himself from his investigation.
Malami gave the reason for demanding that the EFCC chairman step aside in his matter and called on the AGF and Minister of Justice to take action.
The former minister also claimed that he was being witch-hunted by the EFCC over his defection from the ruling APC to the ADC.
Source: Legit.ng
