Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday, 19 January, 2026 arrested the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
Security sources said Malami, who is standing trial before a Federal High Court on allegations of money laundering, was on Monday, 19 January, 2026 taken into custody by security operatives shortly after his release from the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.
The source disclosed that DSS operatives picked him up immediately after he exited the prison facility.
Malami’s arrest, according to sources in the secret police, borders on fresh allegations of terrorism financing.
Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed that Malami was released after perfecting his bail conditions.
Efforts to obtain official comments from the DSS remained unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The release of the former AGF followed the granting of bail on January 7, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The court granted bail to Malami, his wife, and his son for ₦500 million each, with strict conditions.
Each defendant was required to produce two sureties with verifiable landed property within 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 barred from travelling abroad without prior permission.
Malami, his wife Asabe, and his son had been remanded at Kuje following their arraignment by the EFCC on December 29, 2025, on 16 counts, bordering on money laundering involving about ₦8.7 billion.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants used multiple corporate entities, bank accounts, and high-value real estate transactions to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities.
Source: Channels TV
