After Bail, Ex-Minister Malami Fears Fresh Arrest By DSS
Malami, his wife and son Abubakar Abdulaziz were granted bail on Wednesday.
Former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami has raised concerns about potential rearrest by security agencies despite receiving court-approved bail.
Through his media aide Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami’s office claimed Wednesday it had received intelligence that Department of State Services operatives were monitoring Kuje Correctional Centre, preparing to detain him again on what he termed “trumped-up charges” upon his release.
The statement described this as threatening due process and personal safety, calling the pattern of granting bail followed by fresh arrests an abuse of state power that undermines judicial authority.
Malami’s team noted that while a Federal Capital Territory High Court had previously granted him bail in a related case, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission allegedly prevented his release. They warned that his safety and that of his family and staff were now at risk.
The statement urged legal bodies, civil society organizations and international observers to ensure security agencies operate within legal boundaries.
On Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court granted Malami, his wife Bashir Asabe, and son Abubakar Abdulaziz bail at N500 million each on money laundering charges. Each defendant must provide sureties owning property in Abuja’s Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarinpa areas, surrender travel documents, and obtain court permission before leaving Nigeria.
The family faces 16 counts relating to alleged money laundering and abuse of office. They were arraigned December 30, 2025, pleading not guilty before being remanded at Kuje prison.
The EFCC alleges the trio conspired between 2015 and 2025 to launder over N8.1 billion through bank accounts and companies including Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited and Meethaq Hotels Limited. Prosecutors claim transactions were structured to hide illicit origins.
Specific allegations include laundering over N1 billion through Metropolitan Auto Tech’s Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025, and concealing N600 million through the same company from September 2020 to February 2021.
The commission also alleges Malami used his position as Attorney-General under former President Muhammadu Buhari to disguise N500 million paid for a Maitama luxury duplex and acquired properties in Abuja, Kano and Kebbi through proxies.
The charges reference violations of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Malami has denied all allegations and stated his readiness to face lawful judicial processes.
