Former AGF Malami Taken Back to Custody by DSS After Bail Release

The ordeal of Nigeria’s former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami with Nigeria’s law enforcement has not abated after he was again taken away by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday, moments after his court-ordered release from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

Malami had just perfected his bail conditions when DSS operatives reportedly picked him up outside the facility. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) later clarified that it was not involved in the action.

Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) confirmed his release.

“He has been released. He perfected his bail conditions and was released this afternoon,” one official said. Another added that Malami “joined the DSS in their vehicle after his release.”

A viral video showed Malami being escorted toward a black vehicle. In the clip, he was heard questioning the operatives, asking to know their leader and requesting to see an identity card.

BREAKING: DSS re-arrest Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, shortly after leaving Kuje Prison, following the completion of his bail conditions.

pic.twitter.com/UxOFwG0IEz

— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) January 19, 2026

Bail Conditions

Malami’s release followed a bail ruling delivered on January 7 by Justice Emeka Nwite of the High Court in Abuja. The court granted bail to Malami, his wife Asabe, and his son in the sum of ₦500 million each.

As part of the bail terms, each defendant was required to present two sureties with verifiable landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa.

They were also ordered to submit property documents to the court, file affidavits of means, surrender their international passports, and refrain from travelling outside Nigeria without court approval.

The former attorney general, his wife, and his son were remanded at Kuje prison after their arraignment by the EFCC on December 29, 2025.

They face 16 counts of alleged money laundering involving about ₦8.7 billion.

The case is still drawn enormous public attention, with Malami, once Nigeria’s all-powerful chief law officer confronted by the very system he held sway in for nearly a decade.

Beyond financial crimes allegations, the former AGF appears to have questions relating to unauthorized firearms possession and even alleged funding of terrorism.