THE legal and political troubles of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, deepened on Saturday as operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested him shortly after his release from Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.
News Point Nigeria reports that Malami was taken into DSS custody after fulfilling bail conditions imposed following his earlier arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of money laundering.
The EFCC had earlier arrested Malami alongside his wife and son, following an extensive investigation into alleged financial crimes. The trio were subsequently granted bail in the sum of ₦500 million each, with additional conditions that delayed their immediate release.
After meeting the bail requirements and exiting Kuje Prison, Malami was immediately re-arrested by DSS operatives, in what sources described as a coordinated inter-agency operation.
Security sources disclosed that the DSS arrest followed the emergence of multiple petitions alleging terrorism financing, a crime considered among the most serious national and international security offences.
According to a source familiar with the investigation, the DSS stepped in after the EFCC reportedly discovered arms at Malami’s country home in Kebbi State during a search conducted as part of its ongoing probe.
“Yes, it is true that DSS operatives arrested Abubakar Malami, SAN,” the source confirmed. “There are several petitions against him bordering on alleged terrorism financing. Terrorism and terrorism financing are grave offences globally.”
The source explained that Malami’s arrest reflects routine inter-agency collaboration among Nigeria’s security institutions, noting that it is not unusual for one agency to transfer a suspect to another with statutory responsibility over specific offences.
“In the course of investigations, we have what is called inter-agency cooperation. It is not uncommon for one security agency to hand over a person under investigation to another sister agency,” the source said.
“In Nigeria, the DSS is the sole security agency tasked with investigating allegations related to terrorism and terrorism financing. It is therefore best to allow them to do their job.”
“You’ll recall that when Abubakar Malami was the Attorney-General, he vowed that the government would not protect anyone connected to terrorism financing,” the source added.
“No responsible government can ignore allegations of this magnitude, no matter how highly placed the individual involved.”
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the DSS proved unsuccessful, as the agency declined to comment on the arrest or the scope of its investigation.
Malami, however, has consistently denied all allegations against him. He has described the investigations and arrests as a politically motivated witch-hunt, insisting that he remains innocent of any wrongdoing.