Nigeria’s security and anti-corruption architecture was jolted this week following the reported discovery of arms and ammunition at the Birnin Kebbi residence of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), a development that has triggered a fresh investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The weapons were allegedly uncovered during an ongoing operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which has been investigating the former justice minister over multiple financial crime allegations, including money laundering and abuse of office linked to his years in government.
According to security sources, the EFCC operatives stumbled on the arms cache while conducting a search at Malami’s Kebbi home, an outcome that immediately escalated the matter beyond financial crimes into the realm of national security.
Given that the possession and investigation of illegal arms fall outside the statutory mandate of the EFCC, the commission reportedly transferred the recovered weapons and all relevant intelligence to the DSS for a more extensive and security-focused probe.
While official details remain tightly held, sources familiar with the development say the quantity and nature of the arms were serious enough to warrant direct DSS involvement, raising questions about how such weapons came to be located in the residence of a former chief law officer of the federation.
The DSS is now said to be conducting forensic and intelligence-driven investigations to determine the origin of the arms, whether they were legally acquired, and if their presence poses any wider security implications.
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The arms discovery comes as Malami remains in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, despite being granted bail by a Federal High Court in connection with money laundering charges filed by the EFCC, with reports indicating that his bail conditions are yet to be perfected.
Sources have suggested that Malami’s continued stay in custody may be linked to the unfolding DSS investigation, as security agencies coordinate to prevent jurisdictional loopholes that could compromise the probe, though no official confirmation has been issued.
The former AGF, alongside members of his immediate family, has consistently denied all allegations against him, insisting that the charges are politically motivated and will ultimately be defeated in court.
As the DSS deepens its investigation, legal analysts say the arms discovery could significantly complicate Malami’s legal troubles, potentially opening a new chapter of criminal liability if unlawful possession or related security breaches are established, further intensifying one of Nigeria’s most high-profile post-office accountability cases in recent years.
