Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday arrested Abubakar Malami, a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, at the entrance of the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

Malami’s arrest occurred shortly after he exited the correctional facility, where he had reportedly gone in connection with his ongoing money laundering trial.

A video that surfaced online showed the former AGF being escorted into a vehicle said to belong to the DSS.

Moments before entering the van, Malami was seen requesting the operatives to identify themselves by presenting their official identity cards.

A security source confirmed the development, saying the arrest followed multiple petitions submitted against the former minister.

According to the source, the petitions border on allegations of terrorism financing.

“Yes, it is true that DSS operatives arrested Abubakar Malami. There are several petitions against him bordering on alleged terrorism financing,” the source said.

The source described terrorism and terrorism financing as grave offences under both Nigerian and international law, noting that no individual, regardless of status, should be shielded from investigation when such allegations arise.

“You will recall that when Abubakar Malami, served as attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, he repeatedly stated that the government would not protect any person linked to terrorism or terrorism financing.

“No responsible government would fold its arms or turn a blind eye to weighty allegations of terrorism financing against any individual, no matter how highly placed. In this case”, the source added.

The source further explained that the arrest followed inter-agency cooperation, a common practice in security operations, stressing that the DSS is the agency statutorily empowered to investigate allegations related to terrorism financing in Nigeria.

“In the course of investigations, inter-agency collaboration is normal. It is not unusual for one security agency to hand over a suspect to another.

“In Nigeria, the DSS is the sole security agency responsible for investigating terrorism and terrorism financing. It is best to allow them to carry out their duties,” the source said.

Malami’s arrest comes against the backdrop of an ongoing money laundering trial involving him, his son, and his wife.

On January 7, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the former AGF bail in the sum of N500 million.

Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge also granted bail of N500 million each to Malami’s son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Bashir Asabe.

As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered each defendant to produce two sureties in like sum.

The sureties are required to own landed property within Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarimpa areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Malami, his son and wife on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N8,713,923,759.49.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants conspired between 2015 and 2025 to launder proceeds of unlawful activities, using bank accounts and corporate entities to conceal the source and ownership of funds amounting to over N8.1 billion.

All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In a related development, the court had ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties valued at about N213 billion, which the EFCC said were suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly linked to Malami.

Prior to Monday’s arrest, Malami’s media office had issued a statement accusing the DSS of mounting surveillance around the Kuje Correctional Centre with the intention of re-arresting the former AGF.

His media aide, Mohammed Doka, claimed that DSS operatives were positioned around the facility to apprehend Malami immediately after he left the prison.

There have also been unconfirmed reports alleging that the DSS discovered arms at Malami’s residence, though no official statement has been issued by the agency on this claim as of the time of filing this report.

Neither the DSS nor Malami’s legal team has released a formal statement detailing the specific allegations prompting the latest arrest. (BusinessDay)