Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, was re-arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday, January 19, 2026, on fresh allegations linked to terrorism financing and the discovery of illegal arms. This dramatic development occurred immediately after his release from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, where he had been remanded on money laundering charges. Security sources confirmed that DSS operatives picked him up as he exited the facility, with officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service verifying his release after he met stringent bail conditions.

Malami's re-arrest followed weeks of intense surveillance by SSS operatives positioned outside the Kuje facility, anticipating his release. His media aide, Mohammed Bello (also referred to as Mohammed Doka in another report), had acknowledged these plans as early as January 7, 2026, through a press statement shared on Malami's Facebook page. This statement expressed grave concerns about due process, the rule of law, and personal safety, labeling the impending charges as "trumped-up." Malami himself, captured in a viral video, was seen pausing to question the identity of the operatives as he was escorted towards a waiting black pickup truck, asking, "Who is your Oga among you? Can I see your ID card?" before eventually entering the vehicle.

The new allegations stem partly from an earlier raid by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Malami's houses and offices in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin-Kebbi in December 2025. During these raids, conducted as part of the ongoing money laundering investigations, illegal arms were reportedly discovered at his residence in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State. As the allegation of possession of illegal arms falls outside the EFCC’s statutory mandate, the anti-graft agency reportedly handed over the recovered weapons to the DSS (also referred to as SSS) for further investigation, leading to the current fresh probe.

Malami, along with his wife, Asabe Bashir, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, had been arraigned by the EFCC on December 29, 2025, on a 16-count charge of money laundering involving approximately N8.7 billion. The EFCC alleged that the defendants utilized corporate entities, multiple bank accounts, and high-value real estate transactions to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities. They were subsequently remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre on December 30, 2025. His wife and son had been in EFCC custody since December 23, 2025, while Malami himself was first detained by the EFCC on December 8, 2025.

On January 7, 2026, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court granted bail to Malami, his wife, and son at N500 million each, subject to strict conditions. These conditions included providing two sureties with verifiable landed property in high-value areas like Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarimpa, surrendering all property documents to the court, and submitting affidavits of means. They were also mandated to surrender their passports and prohibited from traveling abroad without prior court permission.

Amid his legal challenges, Malami publicly accused EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede of bias, demanding his recusal from all matters involving him. He argued that Olukoyede's involvement was "legally untenable, morally indefensible, and constitutionally impermissible," referencing Chapter 9 of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report. Malami highlighted that he oversaw the establishment of the Salami Commission, where the current EFCC chairman served as secretary, suggesting this created "personal and professional exposure" for individuals now overseeing his prosecution.

In response, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on January 11, 2026, firmly rejected claims of political targeting, asserting the case was not partisan. He clarified that the investigation predated his tenure and that he had only reviewed the investigation file, ensuring the probe was "professional and thorough." Olukoyede emphasized the importance of a non-partisan approach to fighting corruption for Nigeria's progress, stating, "If Nigeria is to move forward, all of us must agree that this fight must be fought without being partisan."

Separately, on the same day bail was granted, January 7, 2026, the court ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly linked to Malami. These properties, reportedly acquired during and shortly after his eight-year tenure as Attorney General under former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration (2015-2023), were valued at over N212 billion.

Malami's re-arrest on Monday, January 19, 2026, marks the third distinct phase of his detention by various agencies since December 8, 2025. This sequence of arrests and detentions underscores the escalating legal complexities faced by the former top justice official, as the DSS has not yet issued a formal statement regarding its latest actions.