Abubakar Malami, SAN, the immediate past Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations of terrorism financing, security sources confirmed on Tuesday. The former AGF was taken into custody shortly after leaving the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, where he had appeared in connection with an ongoing money‑laundering trial involving him and his family.
Video footage circulating on social media shows Malami approaching a DSS vehicle immediately after exiting the prison complex, during which he reportedly requested operatives to present official identification before being taken away. The incident has fueled widespread discussions across Nigerian news platforms and social media networks.
The detention stems from petitions filed against Malami, alleging his involvement in terrorism financing. A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the DSS acted under its statutory mandate to investigate offences related to terrorism and the financing of extremist activities, emphasizing that no individual is above the law.
Malami’s ongoing legal challenges include a 16-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering, in which he, his wife Bashir Asabe, and his son Abdulaziz Malami are accused of participating in an alleged scheme involving over N8.7 billion. The Federal High Court in Abuja had granted them bail earlier this month, requiring each to provide ₦500 million and credible sureties from specific Abuja districts.
However, his brief period of freedom was cut short when the DSS took him into custody for further investigation. Sources indicate that certain findings during searches and investigations, which fall outside the jurisdiction of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), were referred to the DSS for action.
Details of the alleged terrorism financing remain under investigation, with neither the DSS nor Malami’s legal team releasing a public statement on the specific evidence or the petitions prompting his detention. Analysts note that terrorism financing is considered a serious offence under Nigerian and international law, carrying severe penalties if proven in court.
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Reports suggest that some of the allegations are linked to findings at Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, where arms and ammunition were reportedly discovered during a previous anti-graft operation. These claims, while not officially confirmed, have contributed to the DSS’s decision to detain him.
Malami had previously denied any connection to terrorism or terrorism financing, describing earlier allegations as politically motivated. He maintains that the charges and petitions are attempts to tarnish his reputation, though these denials were issued prior to the DSS’s current intervention.
Legal observers argue that the development marks one of the most significant challenges in recent years to a senior public official in Nigeria, highlighting the growing willingness of security agencies to pursue high-profile cases irrespective of status. The DSS is expected to conduct a thorough investigation before deciding whether to formally charge Malami in court.
The case continues to unfold amid heightened public attention, with Nigerians and international observers closely monitoring developments. Authorities have assured that due process will be followed, and further updates are expected once investigations are concluded.
