Ex-Justice Minister Abubakar Malami Taken Into DSS Custody After Kuje Prison Release
Former Nigerian Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), was taken into custody by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday shortly after his release from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, Global Mirror News has gathered.
Malami was reportedly intercepted by DSS operatives moments after exiting the correctional facility, where he had been remanded following money laundering charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC, however, clarified that it was not responsible for the post-release action.
Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed to Global Mirror News that Malami was released after fulfilling all bail conditions imposed by the court. “He perfected his bail conditions and was released this afternoon,” a senior official said. Another official added that the former justice minister left the facility in a vehicle belonging to the DSS.
Video footage obtained by Global Mirror News showed Malami being escorted to a black vehicle outside the correctional centre. In the footage, he was heard asking the officers to identify themselves and requesting to see their official identification.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the DSS were unsuccessful, as calls to the agency’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Favour Dozie, were not returned. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale reiterated the commission’s position, stating, “We did not pick him up after his release.”
Malami’s release followed a January 7 ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, which granted bail to Malami, his wife Asabe, and their son.
Each defendant was granted bail in the sum of ₦500 million, with stringent conditions, including the provision of two sureties with verifiable landed property in high-value districts of Abuja, surrender of International passports, and restrictions on foreign travel without court approval.
The trio had been remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre after their arraignment on December 29, 2025, on 16 counts of alleged money laundering involving about ₦8.7 billion. The EFCC alleged that they used multiple corporate entities, bank accounts, and high-end real estate transactions to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities.
According to court documents, Malami and his son allegedly used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal over ₦1.01 billion between July 2022 and June 2025, while another ₦600 million reportedly passed through a Sterling Bank account linked to the company between September 2020 and February 2021.
Prosecutors also alleged that ₦500 million was disguised to purchase a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama.
Malami had been in EFCC custody since December 8, 2025, after failing to initially meet bail conditions. On December 18, the Federal Capital Territory High Court upheld his detention as lawful.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS had yet to publicly disclose the legal basis for Malami’s post-release detention, further intensifying public attention on the high-profile case.
