Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) shortly after leaving Kuje Correctional Facility, following the completion of his bail conditions in a ₦8.7 billion money laundering case.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ELLAN.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
The arrest on Monday came after a dramatic week-long standoff during which the DSS maintained a security blockade around the prison, preventing Malami’s release despite his legal entitlement to freedom after meeting bail requirements.
According to sources, Malami is now facing a fresh investigation by the DSS following the discovery of arms at his Kebbi country home by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives during a search operation.
The former minister’s surrender to DSS custody occurred just hours after prominent activist Omoyele Sowore publicly announced plans to visit Kuje Prison to intervene and help secure his release.
@thenigerialawyer "Fmr AGF Malami Arrested By SSS Minutes After Leaving Kuje Prison" — Surrenders After Week-Long Standoff, Faces Terrorism-Related Investigation
The situation had escalated last Friday when Malami’s son, Abdulaziz, was arrested while allegedly attempting to leave the prison premises amid the clampdown. Court bailiffs from the Federal High Court had arrived at the facility with fully processed bail documents to secure Abdulaziz’s release.
However, sources within the facility revealed that Malami reportedly insisted that his son be quietly moved out of the prison without the usual formalities—a request that raised red flags with security officials.
“This happened on Friday; the son was taken from bailiffs from the Federal High Court who brought fully processed bail papers but Malami refused to leave, urging that they sneak his son out. But the DSS profiled every car leaving and rearrested his son,” a source privy to the incident disclosed.
DSS operatives stationed around the correctional centre reportedly profiled every vehicle leaving the premises, leading to Abdulaziz’s interception and rearrest shortly after being handed over to those facilitating his release.
In early January, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that Kuje Prison was placed under tight security, with more than 50 DSS operatives deployed to strategic positions around the facility.
Sources described the deployment as a preemptive move to ensure Malami does not escape investigation into terrorism-related activities, especially after he was granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Although legally entitled to freedom, Malami remained confined in Kuje Prison for over a week, turning what should have been a routine administrative process into a high-profile standoff between judicial authority and security agencies.
The EFCC had arraigned Malami alongside his fourth wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son Abdulaziz before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The defendants face a 16-count charge of conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing, and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to ₦8,713,923,759.49, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty at their arraignment.
According to court filings, the EFCC alleges that Malami used fronts and corporate entities, including Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd and Meethaq Hotels Ltd, to launder public funds while in office.
One of the charges claims Malami and his son procured over ₦1,014,848,500 through Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd between July 2022 and June 2025 to conceal the origin of funds in a Sterling Bank account.
Another alleges that Malami used ₦600,000,000 as collateral to secure a loan for Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite allegedly knowing the money was suspicious.
Multiple counts accuse the defendants of using property companies and Bureau De Change operators to disguise payments for high-end properties in Maitama, Jabi, Asokoro, Gwarimpa, and Kano, including:
- ₦500 million luxury duplex, Amazon Street, Maitama
- ₦700 million property, Onitsha Crescent, Garki
- ₦850 million Meethaq Hotels, Jabi
- ₦430 million Rhine Street property, Maitama
- ₦537 million properties in Abuja, Kano and Birnin Kebbi
Two of the properties were identified as Hamonia Hotels Ltd in Area 11 Garki and Meethaq Hotels on Rhine Street in Maitama.
In documents tendered to the court as Proof of Evidence, the anti-graft agency listed witnesses including investigators, Bureau De Change operators and bankers.
The EFCC says its officials—Folarin Dare, Chinedu Eneanya and Sani Lukeman—will testify about how petitions and intelligence reports triggered the probe into what they described as “monumental corruption” allegedly linked to the former minister.
A witness, Hassan Aliyu, reportedly claims his company’s account was used for suspicious multi-million-naira transactions without his full knowledge.
In late December, it was revealed that Abdulaziz, remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre with his father and stepmother, had been rushed to the prison clinic after suddenly falling ill on December 30. He was admitted for observation.
A security source familiar with the matter said the move to arrest Malami upon his prison exit reflects growing unease within the intelligence community over what they described as “irregular efforts” surrounding the former attorney-general’s approach to his son’s release.
The case has attracted significant public attention, given Malami’s former position as Nigeria’s chief law officer and the scale of the allegations against him.
Despite the weight of the accusations, Malami and his co-defendants maintain their innocence, forcing the case into full trial.
“Order Your Copy Now” — Basil Momodu, Esq. Unveils Second Edition Of His Book, "Civil Procedure In Nigeria"
According to the learned author, Basil Momodu Esq. "Law review is a continuum. We will continue to track changes in the law to enrich future editions." Recommended Booksellers: Lagos: 08033855230, Abuja: 08035991379, and others.
_______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Bridging Theory And Courtroom Practice” — Hagler Sunny Okorie, Nathaniel Ngozi Ikeocha Unveil ‘Functional’ Tort Law Book For Nigerian Legal System
The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209.
______________________________________________________________________
“Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
As an added bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE ebook titled: “AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion: A Research Guide.”
Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating:
"....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic."
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
