Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), was on Monday taken into custody by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) shortly after his release from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
Malami was reportedly picked up by DSS operatives immediately after completing his release process at the facility. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), however, distanced itself from the development, insisting that it did not re-arrest the former minister.
Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed that Malami was released after fulfilling his bail conditions as ordered by the court.
“He has been released. He perfected his bail conditions and was released this afternoon,” one official said. Another official added, “He joined the DSS in their vehicle after his release.”
A video obtained by our correspondent showed Malami being escorted into a black vehicle moments after exiting the correctional centre. In the footage, the former minister was heard asking, “Who is the oga among you? Can I see your ID card?”
Efforts to obtain clarification from the DSS were unsuccessful, as calls to the Deputy Director of Public Relations, Favour Dozie, were not returned as of press time.
Reacting to the development, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, reiterated that the anti-graft agency was not involved in Malami’s latest detention. “We didn’t pick him up after he was released,” he said.
Malami’s release followed the granting of bail on January 7 by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The court admitted Malami, his wife Asabe, and his son to bail in the sum of N500 million each, with stringent conditions.
Each defendant was ordered to produce two sureties with verifiable landed property located in Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarimpa areas of Abuja. The sureties were also required to deposit the relevant property documents with the court and submit sworn affidavits of means.
In addition, the defendants were directed to surrender their international passports and were barred from travelling outside the country without prior approval of the court.
Malami, his wife and son were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre following their arraignment by the EFCC on December 29, 2025, over a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering involving about N8.7 billion.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly used multiple corporate entities, bank accounts and high-value real estate transactions to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities.
Court documents marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025 alleged that Malami and his son used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to launder over N1.01 billion between July 2022 and June 2025. The EFCC further claimed that an additional N600 million passed through a Sterling Bank account linked to the company between September 2020 and February 2021.
The anti-graft agency also accused the trio of disguising the origin of N500 million allegedly used to acquire a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.
Malami had remained in EFCC custody since December 8, 2025, after failing to meet earlier bail conditions. On December 18, a Federal Capital Territory High Court presided over by Justice Babangida Hassan upheld his detention, ruling that it was lawful.
Watch video below:
