Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, on Friday quietly returned to the Federal High Court in Abuja, as fresh complications emerged over his bail, SaharaReporters has learnt.
A team of his lawyers and close loyalists reportedly approached Justice Emeka Nwite, seeking the court’s understanding to fast-track Malami’s release from Kuje Correctional Centre after a surety involved in his bail reportedly threatened to pull out.
Sources said the surety’s sudden hesitation came despite the fact that Malami’s bail had already been perfected and signed by the judge a day earlier.
“It is understood that one of the sureties wanted to withdraw after the bail process had been completed,” a source familiar with the matter disclosed. “The lawyers returned to court to avoid complications and ensure Malami could leave Kuje with the court’s blessing.”
By the close of proceedings on Friday, it remained unclear what decision the court reached.
Another legal practitioner said the visit was aimed at preventing any procedural setback that could further delay Malami’s release.
Although the court had earlier granted Malami, his wife and son bail in the sum of ₦500 million each, the former AGF reportedly refused to leave custody, fearing he could be immediately rearrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Sources revealed that Malami had instructed his legal team to seek an ex parte order restraining security agencies—particularly the DSS—from arresting him upon release. However, no such protective order was granted, leaving his continued stay in Kuje as a personal decision rather than one compelled by law.
Malami is facing a separate DSS investigation linked to the discovery of arms and ammunition at his Kebbi residence, which the EFCC reportedly handed over to the secret police due to jurisdictional limits.
Meanwhile, Malami is standing trial alongside two family members over alleged money laundering involving ₦8.7 billion, while a court has also ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties valued at over ₦213 billion allegedly linked to him and his sons.
About The Author
