DSS takes custody of Malami hours after release from Kuje prison
Abubakar Malami (SAN), former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, was taken into custody by security operatives on Monday shortly after his release from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
Sources said operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) picked up Malami immediately after he exited the facility. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), however, said it was not responsible for the action.
Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed that Malami was released after fulfilling the conditions attached to his bail.
“He has been released after perfecting his bail conditions,” a correctional service official said. Another official added that Malami left the centre in a vehicle belonging to the DSS.
A video seen by our correspondent showed the former justice minister being escorted to a black vehicle moments after his release. In the footage, Malami was heard asking the operatives, “Who is the oga among you? Can I see your ID card?”
Attempts to reach the DSS deputy director of public relations, Favour Dozie, were unsuccessful, as calls to her phone were not returned.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale reiterated that the anti-graft agency was not involved. “We didn’t pick him up after he was released,” he said.
Malami’s release followed a bail granted on January 7 by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The court admitted Malami, his wife Asabe, and their son to bail in the sum of N500 million each, under stringent conditions.
The defendants were ordered to present two sureties each with verifiable landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa, submit property documents to the court, and file affidavits of means. They were also directed to surrender their international passports and barred from travelling outside Nigeria without the court’s approval.
Malami, his wife, and son were remanded at the Kuje facility following their arraignment by the EFCC on December 29, 2025, over a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering involving about N8.7 billion.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly used multiple corporate entities, bank accounts, and high-value property transactions to disguise proceeds of unlawful activities.
Court documents marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025 alleged that Malami and his son channelled over N1.01 billion through Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited between July 2022 and June 2025. The EFCC also 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 further alleged that the trio concealed the source of N500 million used to acquire a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama.
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 ruled that his detention was lawful.
Related to this topic:
