Former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), may remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for an extended period, as operatives seek judicial approval to detain him pending the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
Multiple security sources disclosed that the DSS is working to obtain a court order to keep Malami in custody, citing the sensitive and complex nature of the investigations, which could span several months.
Malami was re-arrested on Monday, moments after perfecting his bail and stepping out of the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
His arrest came shortly after his release from detention over allegations brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bail and Re-Arrest
The former AGF had been in custody since early December after failing to meet earlier bail conditions. On December 18, 2025, a Federal Capital Territory High Court presided over by Justice Babangida Hassan upheld his detention as lawful.
However, on January 7, 2026, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted Malami, his wife Asabe, and their son bail in the sum of ₦500 million each, with stringent conditions, including two sureties with verifiable landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa.
Twelve days later, Malami perfected the bail conditions but was immediately re-arrested by DSS operatives upon leaving the correctional facility.
Malami, his wife, and son were arraigned on December 29, 2025, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on 16 counts bordering on money laundering and conspiracy.
The EFCC alleged that the trio conspired to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to about ₦8.7 billion through multiple corporate entities, bank accounts, and high-value real estate transactions in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
DSS Investigation Beyond EFCC Case
Security sources revealed that the DSS probe extends beyond the EFCC allegations. Malami is being questioned over his handling of the list of alleged Nigerian terrorism financiers released by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2021.
“The investigation is likely going to take a long time. That is why we are working to obtain a court order to detain him further,” a source told another online news media, PUNCH.
“There are several issues he is being questioned on, including how the terrorism financiers’ list released by the UAE was handled during his tenure as AGF. I am not sure he will be released anytime soon.”
In 2021, UAE authorities listed six Nigerians among individuals accused of financing Boko Haram, following Cabinet Resolution No. 83 of 2021, which designated 38 individuals and 15 entities globally for supporting terrorist organisations.
The disclosure sparked controversy in Nigeria and raised concerns over the government’s response to foreign intelligence on terrorism financing.
Investigators are now revisiting Malami’s public assurances during his tenure that no individual linked to terrorism or its financing would be shielded from prosecution.
Additional Allegations
Sources further revealed that Malami is also being probed over an alleged arms cache discovered at his residence in Kebbi State, as well as multiple petitions bordering on terrorism and terrorism financing.
“Terrorism and terrorism financing are grave offences. No responsible government can ignore such allegations, no matter how highly placed the individual involved. The DSS is the agency constitutionally empowered to investigate such matters, and inter-agency cooperation in cases like this is standard practice,” another source said.
Political analysts note that Malami’s situation reflects increasing post-tenure scrutiny of former senior officials who wielded significant influence during the Muhammadu Buhari administration, particularly those involved in sensitive legal, security, and financial decisions.
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