By John Umeh
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have re-arrested former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, moments after his release from Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.
Security sources said the arrest took place on Monday, January 19, shortly after Malami completed bail procedures and exited the custodial facility. He was reportedly taken into custody over fresh allegations bordering on terrorism financing.
Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed that Malami was freed after fulfilling strict bail conditions imposed by the Federal High Court. However, attempts to get immediate clarification from the DSS on the new arrest were unsuccessful as of the time this report was filed.
Malami’s release followed a ruling delivered on January 7, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite, who granted bail to Malami, his wife Asabe, and their son in the sum of ₦500 million each. The court ordered each defendant to produce two sureties with verifiable landed property in Abuja districts including Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa.
The court further directed the defendants to submit affidavits of means, deposit original property documents with the court, surrender their international passports, and refrain from travelling outside Nigeria without judicial approval.
The former justice minister and his family members were initially remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre following their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on December 29, 2025. They are facing a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering involving approximately ₦8.7 billion.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly used a network of corporate entities, multiple bank accounts, and high-value property acquisitions to launder proceeds believed to have been derived from unlawful activities.
Amid the ongoing prosecution, Malami accused EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, of conflict of interest and called for his recusal from all matters related to the case. In a statement issued by his media aide, Mohammed Bello, Malami described Olukoyede’s involvement as legally and constitutionally improper.
He cited the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry, established during his tenure as Attorney-General, noting that the EFCC chairman previously served as secretary to the commission, a role Malami argued created “personal and professional exposure” in matters now under prosecution.
Responding to the allegation, Olukoyede dismissed claims of bias during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics aired on January 11. He maintained that the investigation against Malami began before his appointment as EFCC chairman and insisted that the case was being handled without political considerations.
“If Nigeria must progress, the fight against corruption must be pursued professionally and without partisanship,” Olukoyede said.
As of press time, the DSS had yet to release an official statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding Malami’s latest arrest.
