Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has chosen to slow down the processing of his recently granted bail, citing fears that Department of State Services (DSS) operatives are poised to re-arrest him the moment he steps out of Kuje Correctional Centre.
Sources close to the matter told reporters that Malami's legal team has deliberately held back on fulfilling the bail conditions after spotting a heavy DSS presence around the prison facility. Over 50 operatives, arriving in multiple Toyota Hilux vans, have reportedly ringed the gates since Wednesday, creating a tense standoff.
This development follows a Federal High Court ruling on January 7, where Justice Emeka Nwite granted Malami, his son Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe bail of N500 million each in a separate N8.7 billion money laundering case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The trio had been remanded in Kuje since late December 2025 after pleading not guilty to 16 counts of laundering public funds through family-linked companies.Security sources say the DSS deployment is tied to an ongoing probe into alleged terrorism financing links, stemming from earlier investigations that surfaced connections between Malami and arrested suspects.
Retired Army General Danjuma Ali-Keffi had previously claimed that counter-terrorism operations uncovered ties involving high-profile figures, including Malami, though no direct accusations were made.Malami's camp has cried foul, with his media aide Mohammed Bello Doka issuing a statement warning of "trumped-up charges" and potential threats to the former minister's safety.
They argue the move undermines judicial authority and the rule of law.Meanwhile, Malami's son remains at the prison clinic, reportedly after falling ill upon arrival. As the bail standoff drags on, observers worry about escalating tensions in what has become one of Nigeria's most high-profile corruption cases involving a former top official.
The saga highlights lingering questions over recovered Abacha loot and national security financing during Malami's tenure under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.With no immediate resolution in sight, the former AGF appears content to stay behind bars—for now—rather than risk walking into fresh detention.
Post a Comment