Malami Meets Bail Conditions, Remains in Kuje Prison Over Fear of DSS Rearrest

Abubakar Malami, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has fulfilled all bail conditions set by the Federal High Court but has chosen to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, over concerns that he may be rearrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) upon release.

Justice Emeka Nwite had on Wednesday granted Malami, his wife, and his son bail in the sum of ₦500 million each. The court ordered that each defendant provide two sureties in the same amount, with the sureties owning landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa. The defendants were also directed to submit their travel documents to the court and obtain permission before travelling outside the country.

Sources familiar with the matter said Malami has complied fully with the bail requirements. However, he has declined to leave custody due to fears that DSS operatives may immediately take him into custody once he exits the correctional facility.

According to the sources, Malami instructed his legal team to urgently seek an ex parte order restraining security agencies, particularly the DSS, from rearresting him after his release. No such order has been granted so far.

As a result, Malami’s continued stay at the Kuje Correctional Centre is not based on any existing court order but on his personal decision. Those close to the situation said he believes remaining within the correctional facility offers more legal protection than risking a fresh detention outside the control of prison authorities.

The court had also ordered that the property documents submitted by the sureties be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar, and that the sureties depose to affidavits of means. In addition, the defendants and their sureties were directed to submit two recent passport photographs each to the court registry.