The Department of State Services (DSS) is requesting a court order to extend the detention of former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, amid an ongoing investigation into allegations of terrorism financing and other related offenses.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that the DSS is working to secure a remand order to keep Malami in custody beyond the initial detention period, citing the complexity and extensive nature of the ongoing probe. The investigation is primarily focused on Malami’s handling of a 2021 list of Nigerian terror financiers, which was released by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and other terrorism-related issues during his tenure as AGF from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In 2021, the UAE government publicly named six Nigerians accused of financing Boko Haram insurgents, sparking significant controversy. The list, published under Resolution No. 83 of 2021, designated individuals and entities involved in supporting terrorism. Malami is being questioned about his response to the list, particularly regarding his handling of the case and whether Nigerian authorities took appropriate action on the intelligence shared by the UAE.
The DSS investigation is expected to take considerable time, with one source noting, “The investigation is likely to be prolonged, which is why we are seeking a court order to detain him further.” Malami is also facing additional scrutiny over an arms cache reportedly found at his residence in Kebbi State, alongside multiple allegations of terrorism financing.
This development follows a tense standoff where Malami was held in Kuje Prison despite being granted bail in his N8.7 billion money laundering case. The DSS had kept him under tight security, and a recent arrest of Malami’s son added to the controversy. Malami finally surrendered to DSS operatives after days of tension regarding his stalled release.
As the investigation continues, political analysts suggest that Malami’s case is part of a broader pattern of increased scrutiny of former senior officials from the Buhari administration. Malami’s actions during his eight-year tenure as AGF have attracted significant attention, particularly his involvement in high-profile legal matters and controversial decisions.
