High Drama In Kuje As Malami Remains In Custody Despite Bail.

Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has reportedly slowed down the processing of his bail amid heightened security at the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja, according to Nivo News.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The delay is said to be linked to concerns over a possible rearrest by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his release. Security sources disclosed that the development is connected to an ongoing investigation bordering on alleged terrorism financing.

It was gathered that the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre was placed on high alert on Wednesday, January 5, 2026, following the deployment of more than 50 DSS operatives to the facility. The operatives reportedly arrived in six Toyota Hilux vehicles and cordoned off the prison environment, intensifying surveillance of all movements in and out of the centre.

The security operation is believed to be a precautionary step aimed at preventing any attempt by Malami to evade arrest, despite the Federal High Court in Abuja granting him bail in his ₦8.7 billion money laundering case on January 3, 2026.

Sources familiar with the situation said Malami directed his legal team to deliberately slow the bail process due to fears that DSS operatives were poised to immediately take him into custody on separate terrorism-related allegations once he steps out of the facility.

A senior security source disclosed that the presence of DSS operatives around the prison influenced the decision, noting that Malami opted to remain in custody rather than face immediate rearrest.

Malami is currently being held in the VIP segregation wing of the custodial centre, a section reserved for high-profile detainees. His son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, who was also remanded at the facility, is said to be receiving medical attention at the prison clinic after reportedly falling ill. Malami’s wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, is also among the defendants in the case.

The trio were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on December 30, 2025, on 16 counts bordering on conspiracy and laundering of proceeds of unlawful activities, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The charges involve alleged laundering of over ₦8.7 billion.

While there are no formal terrorism financing charges filed against Malami at the moment, sources revealed that investigations are ongoing regarding his alleged links to recovered Abacha loot traced to Switzerland and the Island of Jersey in the United Kingdom.

The court granted bail to each defendant in the sum of ₦500 million, with conditions including the provision of two sureties owning property in high-value areas of Abuja, submission and verification of travel documents, and a restriction preventing Malami from leaving the country without court approval.