Key Points

• DSS seeks court order to keep Malami in custody as investigations continue

• Probe focuses on terror financing claims and handling of UAE terror list

• Arrest comes days after Malami met bail conditions and left Kuje prison

Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, may stay longer in the custody of the Department of State Services as investigations continue.

Security sources say the DSS is working to get a court order that will allow it to keep Malami in detention while it completes its probe. The investigation is described as sensitive and could take several months.

Rearrest After Bail From Kuje Prison

Malami was taken into DSS custody on Monday, just minutes after he was released from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. He had only just met his bail conditions and stepped out of the prison when DSS officers picked him up.

Before this, Malami had been in custody since December after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission accused him of money laundering.

The EFCC alleged that Malami, his wife Asabe, and their son hid about ₦8.7 billion through companies, bank accounts, and property deals in Abuja and other places.

Money Laundering Charges And Bail Conditions

The three were taken to court on December 29, 2025, and charged with 16 counts linked to money laundering and conspiracy. They all pleaded not guilty.

Malami remained in custody because he could not meet his bail conditions at first. A court ruled on December 18 that his detention was lawful.

On January 7, another court granted him and his family bail of ₦500 million each, with strict conditions. It took him almost two weeks to meet those conditions.

Twelve days after securing bail, he was arrested again by the DSS.

Terror Financing And Other Allegations

Sources declared that Malami may not be released soon. They said the DSS is questioning him over how Nigeria handled a list of suspected terror financiers released by the United Arab Emirates in 2021.

At that time, the UAE named six Nigerians as people linked to funding Boko Haram. The list caused public anger and raised questions about whether Nigerian authorities acted on the information.

Investigators are now looking at Malami’s role during that period, especially since he had publicly said no one involved in terrorism or terror funding would be protected.

Sources also say Malami is being questioned over an arms cache allegedly found at his home in Kebbi State, as well as petitions accusing him of terror financing.

DSS Says Probe Must Continue

Security officials say terrorism-related cases are handled by the DSS and often involve cooperation between agencies. They insist the investigation must be allowed to run its course.

Malami served as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023 and played key roles in many major legal and corruption cases during that time.

For now, security sources say, he will remain in custody while investigations continue.