Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), may remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for an extended period as investigations into alleged terror financing and related offences intensify, Dip Connect Online News has learnt.
Multiple security sources disclosed that the DSS is seeking a court order to keep Malami in detention pending the conclusion of what they described as sensitive and complex investigations expected to span several months.
Malami’s latest legal ordeal began on Monday, shortly after he perfected the bail earlier granted him and was released from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. Barely minutes after stepping out of the facility, where he had been held since early December, DSS operatives took him into custody. His initial detention followed allegations brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to security sources, the DSS is moving to lawfully extend his detention, citing the gravity and complexity of the matters under investigation.
The former AGF was first arrested by the EFCC over allegations that he conspired with his wife, Asabe, and their son to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities valued at about ₦8.7 billion. The anti-graft agency alleged that the offences involved the use of multiple corporate entities, bank accounts and high-value real estate transactions in Abuja and other parts of the country.
The trio was arraigned on December 29, 2025, before a Federal High Court in Abuja on 16 counts bordering on conspiracy and money laundering. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prior to the arraignment, Malami had been unable to meet bail conditions earlier granted him, resulting in his continued detention from December 8. On December 18, a Federal Capital Territory High Court, presided over by Justice Babangida Hassan, upheld his detention, ruling that it was lawful under the circumstances.
Relief came on January 7, when Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court granted Malami, his wife and son bail in the sum of ₦500 million each, with stringent conditions. The court ordered each defendant to produce two sureties with verifiable landed property within Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarimpa areas of Abuja. The title documents were to be deposited with the court for verification by the Deputy Chief Registrar, while the sureties were required to swear affidavits of means.
Twelve days after the bail ruling, Malami perfected his bail and was exiting the correctional facility when the DSS took him into custody.
The former AGF may not regain his freedom anytime soon, as investigators are revisiting his handling of issues related to terrorism financing during his tenure.
A source familiar with the matter said Malami is being questioned over his role in the management of a list of Nigerian terror financiers released by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“The investigation is likely going to take a long time. That is why we are working to obtain a court order to detain him further,” the source said. “There are several issues he is being questioned on, including the handling of the terrorism financiers’ list released by the UAE in 2021 and other matters relating to terror financiers during his time as Attorney General. This investigation will take months, and I am not sure he will be released anytime soon.”
In 2021, authorities in the UAE named six Nigerians with alleged links to the insurgent group Boko Haram as terrorist financiers. The UAE Cabinet, through Resolution No. 83 of 2021, designated 38 individuals and 15 entities on its list of persons and organisations supporting Boko Haram and other terrorist causes.
Those named included Abdurrahaman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad. The release of the list at the time sparked widespread controversy in Nigeria, raising concerns about how suspected terror financiers were able to operate within the country and whether Nigerian authorities acted decisively on intelligence shared by foreign governments.
Ironically, during his tenure as Attorney General, Malami repeatedly assured the public that the government would not shield anyone linked to terrorism or its financing, regardless of status. Investigators are said to be re-examining those statements in light of the allegations now levelled against him.
Political analysts say the case reflects a broader pattern of post-tenure scrutiny of senior officials who wielded significant influence during the Muhammadu Buhari administration. Malami served as AGF and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023 and was involved in several high-profile asset recovery cases, corruption prosecutions and controversial legal opinions that often stirred public debate.
Another security source disclosed that Malami is also being questioned over an alleged arms cache discovered in his Kebbi State residence, as well as multiple petitions accusing him of terrorism financing.
“He will be probed over the arms cache allegedly found in his Kebbi home. Beyond that, there are several petitions against him bordering on terrorism and terrorism financing,” the source said. “These are serious offences globally. No responsible government would ignore such weighty allegations against any individual, no matter how highly placed.
“In investigations like this, inter-agency cooperation is common. One security agency can hand over a suspect to another. In Nigeria, the DSS is the agency statutorily responsible for investigating terrorism-related allegations. It is best to allow them to do their job.”
Elijah Adeyemi
