Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), may be in a deeper trouble, as indications emerged that he may remain locked up much longer in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Security sources revealed that the DSS is already moving to secure a court order to keep Malami in detention, citing the gravity and sensitivity of ongoing investigations linked to alleged terrorism financing.
Malami was dramatically re-arrested on Monday, just minutes after he perfected his bail and stepped out of the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. The former AGF had barely regained his freedom when DSS operatives swooped, whisking him away in a move that stunned onlookers and reignited public controversy around his case.
Sources said the DSS believes the investigation could take months, prompting plans to legally extend his detention while probing multiple security-related allegations.
The former justice minister was initially arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over claims that he conspired with his wife, Asabe, and their son to launder about N8.7bn through corporate entities, bank accounts and high-value real estate transactions across Abuja and other locations.
Malami, his wife and son were arraigned on December 29, 2025, before a Federal High Court in Abuja on 16 counts bordering on money laundering and conspiracy. All three pleaded not guilty.
Unable to meet earlier bail conditions, Malami remained in custody from December 8 until January 7, when Justice Emeka Nwite granted him and his co-defendants bail in the sum of N500m each, with strict conditions, including the provision of sureties with landed property in Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarimpa.
Twelve days later, after finally meeting the bail terms, Malami walked out of prison—only to be immediately picked up by the DSS.
Investigators are now reportedly grilling him over his handling of sensitive national security issues during his tenure, particularly the controversial list of alleged Nigerian terrorism financiers released by the United Arab Emirates in 2021.
A source familiar with the probe said, “The investigation is likely going to take a long time. This is why we are working to get a court order on Wednesday (today) to detain him further.
“There are several issues he is being questioned on. One of them is the handling of the terrorism financiers list released by the UAE in 2021 and some terror financiers during his term as the AGF. So, this investigation will take a very long time. I am not sure he will be released anytime soon.”
The UAE had named six Nigerians among individuals allegedly linked to Boko Haram financing, a revelation that sparked outrage and raised questions about Nigeria’s internal security response at the time.
Ironically, Malami had repeatedly vowed while in office that no individual linked to terrorism or its financing would be protected, no matter how highly placed. Those statements are now reportedly being revisited by investigators.
Sources further disclosed that Malami is also being questioned over an arms cache allegedly discovered at his Kebbi residence, alongside several petitions accusing him of terrorism financing.
“He will also be probed on the arms cache found in his Kebbi home. Beyond this, there are several petitions against him bordering on alleged terrorism financing. Terrorism and terrorism financing are serious offences globally. You’ll recall that when Abubakar Malami, SAN, was the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, he vowed that the government of the day would not shield any person or persons linked to terrorism or terrorism financing.
“No responsible government would, in the same vein, fold its hands or turn a blind eye to weighty allegations of terrorism financing levelled against any individual, no matter how highly placed, in this case, Malami, SAN.
“In the course of investigations, we have what is called inter-agency cooperation. It is not uncommon for one security agency to hand over a person under investigation to another sister security agency. In Nigeria, the DSS is the sole security agency tasked with the responsibility of investigating such allegations. It’ll be best to allow them do their job,” the source said.
