Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Monday surrendered himself to operatives of the Department of State Services following days of tension and heavy security around the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that Malami’s surrender ended a dramatic standoff that began after a Federal High Court granted him bail in an N8.7bn money laundering case but security operatives reportedly blocked his release, despite his compliance with bail conditions.
Sources disclosed that the DSS had since early January deployed over 50 operatives to strategic locations within and around the prison to monitor movements, citing intelligence reports linking the former minister to ongoing investigations bordering on terrorism-related activities.
The situation worsened last Friday when Malami’s son, Abdulaziz, was rearrested at the prison shortly after court bailiffs arrived with fully processed bail documents to secure his release.
Security sources said Abdulaziz was intercepted after Malami allegedly insisted that his son be taken out quietly without the usual formalities.
A security source said, “The bailiffs came with valid papers, but Malami refused to leave and asked that his son be moved discreetly. DSS operatives had profiled all vehicles leaving the facility and rearrested the son.”
On Monday, hours after activist Omoyele Sowore announced plans to visit Kuje Prison to intervene, Malami reportedly surrendered to the DSS, bringing an end to the impasse.
Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and Abdulaziz are standing trial before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, over a 16-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering amounting to ₦8.71bn, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The EFCC alleged that Malami used fronts and corporate entities, including Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd and Meethaq Hotels Ltd, to launder public funds while in office.
According to court filings, the defendants allegedly procured over ₦1.01bn through Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd between July 2022 and June 2025 and used properties, hotels and Bureau De Change operators to conceal the origin of illicit funds.
Other allegations include the purchase of luxury properties in Maitama, Jabi, Garki, Asokoro, Gwarimpa, Kano and Birnin Kebbi, as well as the use of ₦600m as collateral for a hotel loan, allegedly knowing the funds were suspicious.
The three defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges, with the court ordering their remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial.
Despite the weight of the allegations, Malami and his co-defendants have maintained their innocence, insisting they will defend themselves fully in court.
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