Nigeria’s former Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, has been taken into custody by the country’s secret police just minutes after being released on bail from a correctional facility.
Security operatives from the Department of State Services intercepted Mr. Malami as he exited the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja on Monday afternoon. Witnesses described the former minister, who served under the previous administration, asking for identification before being led away in a black vehicle.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which originally brought corruption charges against him, clarified that it was not responsible for this latest detention.
The ‘re-arrest’ at the gate
Officials at the Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed that Mr. Malami had “perfected” his bail conditions and was legally free to leave before the DSS intervention.
Video footage obtained of the incident shows the former minister questioning the operatives, asking: “Who is the senior officer among you? Can I see your ID card?” before joining them in their vehicle. The DSS has yet to release a formal statement explaining the grounds for his detention.
The N8.7bn money laundering case
Mr. Malami, along with his wife and son, had been remanded in custody since late December 2025. They face a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of 8.7 billion naira (£4.2m).
The EFCC’s allegations include:
- Corporate Fronts: Using multiple companies to conceal over 1.6 billion naira in suspicious transactions.
- Luxury Real Estate: Disguising the origin of 500 million naira used to purchase a high-end duplex in the capital’s exclusive Maitama district.
- Family Involvement: Alleged collaboration between the former minister, his wife Asabe, and his son in high-value asset transfers.
Strict bail conditions
A Federal High Court had granted the trio bail on 7 January, set at 500 million naira each. The conditions were notably strict, requiring sureties with verifiable property in Abuja’s most expensive neighbourhoods and the surrender of their international passports.
The former Attorney General had been in detention since 8 December 2025. While his family’s status remains unclear following his release, Mr Malami’s move from a prison cell to secret police custody marks a dramatic turn in one of the most high-profile corruption trials in Nigeria’s recent history.
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