Malami DSS custody followed his release from Kuje prison after meeting bail conditions ordered by a Federal High Court
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), was taken into custody by operatives of the Department of State Services shortly after his release from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
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Security sources confirmed that the operatives picked up Malami immediately after he exited the facility. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission later clarified that it did not re arrest the former minister.
Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service said Malami secured his release after fulfilling the bail conditions imposed by the court. One official confirmed that he left the facility in the company of DSS operatives.
A video obtained at the scene showed Malami being led towards a black vehicle moments after leaving the correctional centre. In the footage, he was heard asking security operatives to identify themselves.
Efforts to reach the Deputy Director of Public Relations of the Department of State Services, Favour Dozie, were unsuccessful as calls to her phone were not returned.
The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, reiterated that the commission played no role in the post release action. He stated that the anti graft agency did not pick up Malami after he left custody.
Malami’s release followed a ruling delivered on January 7 by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The judge granted bail to Malami, his wife Asabe, and his son in the sum of N500 million each.
The court imposed strict conditions, including the provision of two sureties with verified landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa.
The defendants were also ordered to deposit property documents with the court and submit affidavits of means.
Justice Nwite further directed the surrender of their international passports and barred them from travelling outside Nigeria without prior court approval.
Malami, his wife, and his son were remanded at the Kuje facility following their arraignment by the EFCC on December 29, 2025.
The commission filed 16 counts bordering on alleged money laundering involving about N8.7bn.
According to court documents, the EFCC accused the defendants of using multiple corporate entities, bank accounts, and high value real estate transactions to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities.
The charge sheet alleged that Malami and his son used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal over N1.01bn between July 2022 and June 2025.
Another N600m was said to have passed through a Sterling Bank account linked to the company between September 2020 and February 2021.
The commission also claimed that N500m was disguised to purchase a luxury duplex on Amazon Street in Maitama.
Malami had remained in EFCC custody from 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 as lawful.
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The Malami DSS custody development has added a fresh layer of tension to the high profile corruption case.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
