Abubakar Malami (SAN) was taken into custody by security personnel on Monday moments after he regained his freedom from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
Information gathered showed that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) moved in immediately after Malami left the facility and escorted him away. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) later made it clear that it was not responsible for the action.
Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed that Malami secured his release after fulfilling all the conditions attached to his bail.
“He has been released. He perfected his bail conditions and was released this afternoon,” one official said. Another added, “He joined the DSS in their vehicle after his release.”
A video seen by our correspondent captured Malami being led into a black vehicle shortly after he exited the correctional centre. In the footage, he was heard addressing the officers, asking, “Who is the oga among you? Can I see your ID card?”
Attempts to get a response from the Deputy Director of Public Relations of the DSS, Favour Dozie, were unsuccessful, as phone calls to her line were not returned.
Reacting to the development, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale restated that the agency was not involved, saying, “We didn’t pick him up after he was released.”
Malami’s release followed a bail ruling delivered on January 7 by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court approved bail for Malami, his wife, and their son, fixing the sum at N500 million for each defendant, with strict requirements.
The judge directed each defendant to provide two sureties who own verifiable landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa. The sureties were also required to submit property documents to the court and swear affidavits confirming their means.
In addition, the defendants were ordered to surrender their international passports and were barred from travelling outside Nigeria without the court’s permission.
Malami, alongside his wife Asabe and their son, was earlier kept at the Kuje Correctional Centre after being charged by the EFCC on December 29, 2025. The charges, which numbered 16, relate to alleged money laundering involving roughly N8.7 billion.
The EFCC claimed that the defendants employed several companies, operated multiple bank accounts, and carried out expensive property deals as part of efforts to hide funds believed to have been illegally obtained.
Court records identified as FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025 alleged that Malami and his son used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to move and conceal over N1.01 billion between July 2022 and June 2025. The records also alleged that another N600 million passed through a Sterling Bank account linked to the company between September 2020 and February 2021.
The commission further alleged that the defendants concealed the source of N500 million used to acquire a luxury duplex located on Amazon Street, Maitama.
Malami had remained in EFCC custody since December 8, 2025, after failing to meet earlier bail conditions. On December 18, a Federal Capital Territory High Court presided over by Justice Babangida Hassan ruled that his detention was lawful.
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