DSS Rearrests Malami’s Son at Kuje Prison After Alleged Attempt to Secretly Move Him Out.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Democracy Newsline
Abuja | 19 January 2026.
Security operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday rearrested Abdulaziz Malami, son of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, following what security sources described as an irregular attempt to remove him from custody despite the completion of bail documentation.
The rearrest came amid heightened surveillance at the facility, where intelligence operatives had reportedly been monitoring all movements in and out following credible intelligence suggesting efforts to manage Abdulaziz’s release away from established procedures and public scrutiny.
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According to multiple sources familiar with the development, court bailiffs from the Federal High Court arrived at Kuje Prison with fully processed bail documents authorising Abdulaziz’s release. However, complications reportedly arose when the former attorney-general allegedly declined to follow the standard release protocol, insisting instead on a discreet exit for his son.
Security sources said this insistence immediately raised red flags, prompting operatives already stationed around the prison to intensify profiling of vehicles and individuals leaving the premises.
“This incident happened on Friday,” a source privy to the matter told Democracy Newsline. “The bailiffs came with all the necessary papers, but Malami reportedly refused to leave through the normal process, urging that his son be sneaked out. The DSS had already profiled every vehicle leaving the facility, and Abdulaziz was intercepted and rearrested shortly after.” Another security official described the action as part of broader concerns within the intelligence community over what was termed “unusual pressure and irregular manoeuvres” surrounding the bail process.
The development is the latest in a series of dramatic events surrounding the detention of the former justice minister and members of his family. Since late December, Kuje Correctional Centre has reportedly been under near-lockdown conditions, with more than 50 DSS operatives deployed to strategic points within and around the facility.
Sources said the security buildup was a preventive measure to ensure that no suspect of interest leaves custody outside the knowledge of security agencies, particularly in view of ongoing investigations extending beyond financial crimes.
Earlier reports indicated that Abdulaziz had been rushed to the prison clinic on December 30 after he suddenly fell ill, sparking speculation within the facility. Prison officials confirmed at the time that he was admitted for observation, though no further medical details were made public.
Abubakar Malami, his fourth wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son Abdulaziz are currently standing trial before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, over a 16-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charges include conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to ₦8,713,923,759.49, allegedly in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
At their arraignment, all three defendants pleaded not guilty, paving the way for a full trial. Prosecuting counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that the charges stemmed from intelligence reports and petitions alleging large-scale abuse of office and financial impropriety during Malami’s tenure as attorney-general.
According to court documents, the EFCC alleges that Malami used fronts and corporate entities—among them Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd and Meethaq Hotels Ltd—to launder public funds.
One of the charges alleges that between July 2022 and June 2025, Malami and his son procured over ₦1.01 billion through Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd to conceal the origin of funds lodged in a Sterling Bank account. Another count accuses the former minister of using ₦600 million, allegedly of suspicious origin, as collateral to secure a loan for Rayhaan Hotels Ltd.
The prosecution further alleges that the defendants used property companies and Bureau De Change operators to disguise payments for high-end properties in Abuja, Kano and Birnin Kebbi, including luxury properties in Maitama, Jabi, Garki, Asokoro and Gwarimpa, with individual properties valued between ₦430 million and ₦850 million.
In its proof of evidence, the EFCC listed investigators, bankers and Bureau De Change operators as witnesses. Officials including Folarin Dare, Chinedu Eneanya and Sani Lukeman are expected to testify on how intelligence reports triggered what the agency described as a probe into “monumental corruption.”
One witness, Hassan Aliyu, is said to have claimed that his company’s account was used for multi-million-naira transactions without his full knowledge.
Despite the weight of the allegations, Malami and his co-defendants maintain their innocence.
Meanwhile, security agencies have remained tight-lipped on the latest rearrest, but sources insist that the DSS action underscores a determination to ensure that due process is strictly followed and that no suspect under investigation circumvents the law, regardless of status or former office.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JANUARY 19TH 2026)
