Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), is facing extended detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) following his re-arrest on January 20, 2026, over allegations of terrorism financing and related matters.
Security sources revealed that Malami was taken into DSS custody mere minutes after he perfected his bail conditions and stepped out of Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, where he had been held since early December 2025 in connection with an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) money laundering case.
The DSS is actively seeking a court order, potentially as early as Wednesday, January 22, 2026 to prolong his detention while investigations continue.
Sources described the probe as highly sensitive and complex, likely to span several months.
Malami's initial detention stemmed from EFCC allegations that he, his wife Asabe, and their son conspired to conceal approximately ₦8.7 billion in proceeds of unlawful activities through various corporate entities, bank accounts, and high-value real estate in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria.
The trio was arraigned on December 29, 2025, before a Federal High Court in Abuja on 16 counts of money laundering and conspiracy, to which they pleaded not guilty.
Bail was eventually granted on January 7, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite in the sum of ₦500 million each, with stringent conditions including sureties owning verifiable landed property in premium Abuja districts like Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa, and deposit of title documents for court verification.
The DSS probe centers on Malami's handling of a 2021 list of alleged Nigerian terror financiers released by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under Resolution No. 83 of 2021, which designated 38 individuals and 15 entities for supporting groups like Boko Haram.
Questions have arisen about inaction or mishandling during his tenure as AGF (2015–2023).
Additional lines of inquiry include an arms cache reportedly discovered in Malami's home in Binin, Kebbi State, during an EFCC search (with the items handed over to DSS), as well as multiple petitions accusing him of terrorism financing.
Sources emphasized that terrorism and its financing are grave offenses under Nigerian and international law, and no individual regardless of status should be shielded from scrutiny.
They recalled Malami's own past statements vowing that no one linked to terrorism or its financing would be protected under his watch.One security source stated: “The investigation is likely going to take a long time, there are several issues he is being questioned on.
"One of them is the handling of the terrorism financiers list released by the UAE in 2021 and some terror financiers during his term as the AGF... He will also be probed on the arms cache found in his Kebbi home. Beyond this, there are several petitions against him bordering on alleged terrorism financing.”
The case reflects broader post-tenure accountability efforts targeting officials from the previous administration.
Malami remains in DSS custody with no immediate release expected as the intensified investigation proceeds.
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