Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), was reportedly taken into custody by security operatives on Monday, shortly after his release from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
According to reports, officers from the Department of State Services (DSS) picked up Malami immediately after he exited the correctional facility. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), however, denied any involvement in re-arresting him.
Officials from the Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed to Punch that Malami had been released after fulfilling all his bail requirements.
“He has been released. He perfected his bail conditions and was released this afternoon,” an official stated.
Another source added, “He joined the DSS in their vehicle after his release.”
A video obtained by Punch shows Malami being escorted to a black vehicle shortly after leaving Kuje Correctional Centre. In the footage, the former AGF can be heard asking, “Who is the oga among you? Can I see your ID card?”
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale reacted to the development, reaffirming that the commission had not re-arrested Malami, saying, “We didn’t pick him up after he was released.”
Malami’s release came following the granting of bail on January 7 by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The court allowed Malami, his wife Asabe, and their son to be released on ₦500 million bail each, under strict conditions.
Each defendant was required to present two sureties with verifiable landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa, deposit property documents with the court, and submit affidavits of means. They were also ordered to surrender their international passports and were barred from leaving the country without prior court approval.
The former AGF, his wife, and son had been remanded at Kuje following their arraignment by the EFCC on December 29, 2025, over 16 counts of alleged money laundering involving approximately ₦8.7 billion.
The EFCC stated that the accused allegedly used multiple corporate entities, bank accounts, and high-value property transactions to conceal proceeds of illicit activities. Court records indicate that Malami and his son allegedly utilized Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to launder over ₦1.01 billion between July 2022 and June 2025. Additionally, about ₦600 million reportedly 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 ₦500 million, which was used to purchase a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.
Malami had previously been 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, upheld the legality of his detention.
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