Former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), may remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for an extended period as the agency works to secure a court order to keep him detained until ongoing investigations are concluded.
Security sources revealed that the DSS is moving to obtain a court directive to prolong Malami’s detention, citing the sensitive nature and complexity of the probe, which is expected to last for several months.
Malami was re-arrested on Monday shortly after he was released from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. His arrest came minutes after he had perfected his bail conditions following his detention since early December.
The former AGF was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of conspiring with his wife, Asabe, and their son to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities valued at about N8.7 billion.
The EFCC had alleged that the trio used multiple corporate entities, bank accounts and high-value real estate transactions in Abuja and other parts of the country to conceal the funds. They were arraigned on December 29, 2025, on 16 counts of money laundering and conspiracy, charges to which they pleaded not guilty.
Malami was unable to meet the bail conditions initially granted to him, resulting in continued detention from December 8. On January 7, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court granted Malami, his wife and son bail in the sum of N500 million each with strict conditions.
The bail terms required each defendant to produce two sureties with verifiable landed properties within the Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarimpa areas of Abuja. The properties’ title documents were ordered to be deposited with the court for verification, and the sureties were required to depose to affidavits of means.
However, just twelve days after perfecting his bail, Malami was taken into DSS custody as he left the correctional centre.
A source told The PUNCH that the DSS may keep him detained for a long period, noting that the investigation is expected to take months. The source added that the DSS is seeking a court order to further detain him.
The probe reportedly centers on Malami’s handling of the list of Nigerian terror financiers released by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2021, as well as allegations of terrorism financing during his tenure as AGF.
“The investigation is likely going to take a long time. This is why we are working to get a court order today to detain him further,” the source said.
In 2021, the UAE government named six Nigerians as terrorist financiers linked to Boko Haram, while a total of 38 individuals and 15 entities were listed for supporting terrorism under Resolution No. 83 of 2021. The release of the list raised questions about how suspected terror financiers were operating within Nigeria and whether intelligence shared by foreign governments was acted upon.
During his tenure as AGF, Malami had vowed that no one would be shielded from prosecution if linked to terrorism or its financing, regardless of their position. Investigators are now said to be revisiting these statements amid the current allegations.
Political analysts believe Malami’s case highlights a trend of increased scrutiny on former top officials, especially those who held significant influence during the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Another source revealed that Malami is also being questioned over an arms cache allegedly found at his Kebbi residence, along with other petitions alleging terrorism financing.
“Terrorism and terrorism financing are serious offences globally. It is not uncommon for one security agency to hand over a person under investigation to another. In Nigeria, the DSS is responsible for investigating such allegations,” the source said.
The DSS is expected to present its application for extended detention in court as investigations continue.