Pat Stevens/
Former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has been rearrested by operatives of Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) moments after his release from Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, where he was held on money‑laundering charges.
Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who served as the country’s chief law officer from 2015 to 2023 under President Muhammadu Buhari, has been embroiled in a series of high‑profile legal battles involving alleged financial crimes and, more recently, terrorism‑related allegations.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Malami, his son Abdulaziz Malami, and another co‑defendant before the Federal High Court in Abuja last month on a 16‑count charge of money laundering and related offences involving billions of naira.
Prosecutors allege that the defendants used corporate fronts and bank accounts to conceal the origin of substantial funds and purchased high‑value properties in Abuja and other states.
A Federal High Court granted bail in early January in the sum of hundreds of millions of naira each, but Malami was taken into DSS custody soon after leaving the prison.
The fresh detention reportedly relates to allegations of terrorism financing and the discovery of arms and ammunition at a residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State during an EFCC search linked to the ongoing money‑laundering probe.
Security sources say petitions against Malami triggered the renewed investigation by the DSS, which is statutorily responsible for security‑related matters including terrorism and related financing.
The former Attorney‑General has denied wrongdoing, and his legal team continues to challenge aspects of his detention through the courts.
Proceedings are ongoing.
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