Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), remains behind bars at the Kuje Correctional Centre after failing to satisfy the bail conditions granted by a Federal High Court, as a new security investigation deepens his legal predicament.
According to reports, Malami, who was granted bail alongside his son, Abdulaziz, and his wife, Asabe Bashir, has not perfected the court’s conditions, preventing his release from custody. Developments indicate that his continued detention is now complicated by a separate probe involving alleged arms and ammunition discovered at his residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), while conducting a search on the property, allegedly recovered weapons and ammunition.
However, given that offences relating to illegal arms possession fall outside the EFCC’s jurisdiction, the items were reportedly transferred to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation.
Although details regarding the quantity and type of weapons recovered remain unclear, security sources described the discovery as significant enough to trigger an extensive DSS investigation.
Insiders within the security community suggested that Malami may be intentionally delaying the completion of his bail requirements to avoid an immediate arrest by the DSS over the arms-related allegations.
“Malami appears to be slowing down the bail process because DSS operatives are on standby to take him into custody once he is released, possibly over terrorism-related concerns,” a senior security source alleged.
Another source confirmed that the former minister is currently under scrutiny for the alleged possession of arms at his Kebbi residence, adding that the DSS now expects Malami to account for how the weapons came into his possession.
It was further gathered that DSS operatives have reportedly reinforced their presence around the Kuje Correctional Centre, leading to heightened security within and around the facility.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has dismissed claims circulating on social media that Malami had been released and had returned to Kebbi State. An official of the commission confirmed that the former Attorney-General remains in custody after failing to meet bail conditions.
“As of our records, Malami is still in detention. We have seen several misleading videos and claims online suggesting he was welcomed back to Kebbi, but those reports are false,” the source stated.
The EFCC also clarified that investigations into Malami’s conduct did not begin recently. According to the commission, the probe dates back to 2019, during the tenure of former Acting EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu, and continued under subsequent leaderships, including that of Ibrahim Chukkol, before reaching the current administration.
“The investigation is not personal or politically motivated,” the source said. “It is an inherited case that has followed due process over the years, and Malami is fully aware of this.”
Also Read: Outrage as Katsina Moves to Free 70 Banditry Suspects Under Peace Deal
As investigations continue on multiple fronts, the former justice minister’s legal challenges appear far from over, with both financial crime allegations and security-related concerns now converging around his case.
