Ex-AGF Malami Quietly Returns to Court as Surety Threatens Withdrawal, Seeks Judge’s Intervention to Exit Kuje Prison
A legal delegation and close associates of embattled former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, on Friday returned to the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking Justice Emeke Nwite’s understanding to fast-track his release from Kuje Correctional Centre, PulseNets learnt.
The move followed fresh concerns after one of the sureties involved in Malami’s bail process reportedly indicated intentions to withdraw from the arrangement, despite the bail having been perfected and endorsed by the presiding judge a day earlier, information obtained by PulseNets revealed.
“A team of Malami’s lawyers and loyal supporters went back to the Federal High Court on Friday, appealing to the judge’s discretion to ensure his immediate exit from Kuje Prison,” a source familiar with the situation told PulseNets.
“The issue arose because a surety, who was part of the bail process, suddenly wanted to back out even after the judge had signed off on the bail yesterday,” the source added.
As of the close of proceedings on Friday, it remained uncertain what decision, if any, was reached by the court.
However, a legal practitioner who spoke to PulseNets explained that the purpose of the court visit was to prevent administrative or procedural bottlenecks that could delay Malami’s release, even after meeting all bail requirements.
PulseNets had earlier reported that the former AGF had satisfied the bail conditions set by the court following Justice Nwite’s approval of his release from custody.
Last week, Justice Nwite granted Malami, his wife, and his son bail in the sum of ₦500 million each, attaching stringent conditions, including the submission of valid travel documents and title papers for landed properties.
The court ruled that each defendant must present two sureties in like sum, with the sureties owning verifiable landed property in Abuja districts such as Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa.
The judge further directed that all travel documents be deposited with the court, while property documents were to be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar. In addition, the sureties were required to depose to affidavits of means.
Malami was also expressly barred from travelling outside Nigeria without prior permission of the court.
The defendants and their respective sureties were equally instructed to submit two recent passport photographs each to the court registry.
Despite fulfilling the conditions for his release, PulseNets reported that Malami declined to leave the Kuje Correctional Centre over fears that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) might immediately rearrest him upon release.
Sources who spoke to PulseNets disclosed that the former minister had directed his legal team to urgently approach the court for an ex parte order restraining security agencies—particularly the DSS—from arresting him once he exited the facility.
It was, however, learnt that no such protective order was granted, effectively making Malami’s continued stay at the correctional centre a personal decision rather than one backed by an existing court directive.
“He believes remaining in custody is safer than stepping out and risking an immediate rearrest,” a source told PulseNets.
Reports indicate that Malami is currently under a separate and weighty investigation by the DSS following the alleged discovery of arms at his country home in Kebbi State.
PulseNets gathered that the weapons were uncovered during a search carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, because offences relating to illegal arms possession fall outside the EFCC’s statutory mandate, the anti-graft agency reportedly transferred the recovered weapons to the DSS for further investigation.
While the exact quantity of arms and ammunition recovered has not been officially confirmed, sources told PulseNets that the volume was significant enough to trigger a full-scale DSS probe.
Earlier on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, the EFCC arraigned Malami alongside Asabe and Abdulaziz before Justice Nwite.
The defendants are facing a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procurement, disguise, concealment, and laundering of proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to ₦8,713,923,759.49, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In a related development, the Federal High Court also ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 assets allegedly linked to Malami and his two sons. Court documents indicate that the properties are valued at ₦213,234,120,000.
The court granted Malami, his sons, and any other interested parties a 14-day window to appear and demonstrate that the assets were lawfully acquired.
Also Read: Malami Remains in EFCC Custody Over Unmet Bail Conditions as Probe Expands to 18 Offences
Failure to provide satisfactory proof within the stipulated period, the court warned, could result in the permanent forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government.
The interim forfeiture order was issued pursuant to the Non-Conviction Asset Forfeiture provisions of the EFCC Establishment Act.
PulseNets learnt that the EFCC had approached the Federal High Court seeking authority to seize the properties, which are located across Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Kebbi states, on grounds that they are suspected proceeds of unlawful activities.
