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Alleged terror financing: Malami faces long detention as DSS intensifies investigation

Published

2 months ago

January 21, 2026

Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), might spend a longer time in the custody of the Department of State Services, The PUNCH has learnt.

Multiple security sources reported that Malami faces prolonged detention, as the DSS is already working to obtain a court order to keep him in custody until the investigations are concluded.

Malami’s latest ordeal began on Monday when DSS operatives took him into custody shortly after he perfected his bail and was released from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. His arrest came barely minutes after he stepped out of the facility, where he had been detained since early December over allegations brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Security sources indicate that the DSS is seeking a court order to prolong his detention, citing the sensitive and complex nature of the investigations, which are expected to take months.

The former AGF had initially been arrested by the EFCC following allegations that he conspired with his wife, Asabe, and their son to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities valued at about N8.7bn. According to the anti-graft agency, the alleged offences involved the use of multiple corporate entities, bank accounts, and high-value real estate transactions in Abuja and other parts of the country.

The trio was arraigned on December 29, 2025, before a Federal High Court in Abuja on 16 counts bordering on money laundering and conspiracy. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Before their arraignment, Malami had been unable to meet the bail conditions earlier granted him, leading to his continued detention from December 8. On December 18, a Federal Capital Territory High Court, presided over by Justice Babangida Hassan, upheld his detention, ruling that it was lawful under the circumstances. It was not until January 7 that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court granted Malami, his wife and son bail in the sum of N500m each, with stringent conditions.

In the charges preferred against them, the EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities through multiple corporate entities, bank accounts and high-value real estate transactions in Abuja and other parts of the country to the tune of N8.7bn. They pleaded not guilty to the 16 charges.

However, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on January 7 granted Malami, his wife and son bail in the sum of N500 million each.

Justice Nwite ordered that each defendant produce two sureties with verifiable landed property within Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarimpa areas of Abuja.

The court also directed that the title documents of the properties be deposited with the court for verification by the Deputy Chief Registrar, while the sureties were to depose to affidavits of means.

Twelve days after he was granted bail, Malami perfected his bail and was leaving the correctional centre when the DSS picked him up.

The PUNCH gathered that the ex-AGF might not be released anytime soon, as investigations may take months.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Malami is being grilled over his handling of the list of Nigerian terror financiers released by the United Arab Emirates.

A source familiar with the matter told The PUNCH, “The investigation is likely going to take a long time. This is why we are working to get a court order on Wednesday (today) to detain him further.

“There are several issues he is being questioned on. One of them is the handling of the terrorism financiers list released by the UAE in 2021 and some terror financiers during his term as the AGF. So, this investigation will take a very long time. I am not sure he will be released anytime soon.”

In 2021, authorities in the United Arab Emirates named six Nigerians with ties to the insurgent group, Boko Haram, as terrorist financiers.

The UAE Cabinet issued Resolution No. 83 of 2021, designating a total of 38 individuals and 15 entities on its approved list of persons and organisations supporting Boko Haram and other terrorist causes.

The individuals listed by the UAE authorities included Abdurrahaman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad. At the time, the release of the list sparked widespread controversy within Nigeria, raising questions about how suspected terror financiers were able to operate within the country and whether Nigerian authorities had acted decisively on intelligence shared by foreign governments.

Ironically, Malami had, during his tenure as Attorney General, repeatedly vowed that the government would not shield any individual linked to terrorism or its financing. He publicly maintained that no matter how highly placed, anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in line with the law. Investigators are said to be revisiting those declarations in the light of the allegations now levelled against him.

Political analysts note that Malami’s case reflects a broader pattern of post-tenure scrutiny of former top officials, particularly those who wielded enormous influence during the Muhammadu Buhari administration. As AGF and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023, Malami was involved in several high-profile cases, including asset recoveries, prosecutions of corruption suspects, and controversial legal opinions that often generated public debate.

Another source said Malami is also being questioned over an arms cache allegedly found in his Kebbi home, as well as terrorism and terrorism financing petitions against him.

“He will also be probed on the arms cache found in his Kebbi home. Beyond this, there are several petitions against him bordering on alleged terrorism financing. Terrorism and terrorism financing are serious offences globally. You’ll recall that when Abubakar Malami, SAN, was the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, he vowed that the government of the day would not shield any person or persons linked to terrorism or terrorism financing.

“No responsible government would, in the same vein, fold its hands or turn a blind eye to weighty allegations of terrorism financing levelled against any individual, no matter how highly placed, in this case, Malami, SAN.

“In the course of investigations, we have what is called inter-agency cooperation. It is not uncommon for one security agency to hand over a person under investigation to another sister security agency. In Nigeria, the DSS is the sole security agency tasked with the responsibility of investigating such allegations. It’ll be best to allow them do their job,” the source said.

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News

El-Rufai returns to ICPC custody

Published

11 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

A former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has been returned to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Commission (ICPC).

El-Rufai, who left custody on March 27, 2026, following the death of his mother, was re-arraigned on Tuesday.

Earlier, the court had adjourned his application for bail till March 31, 2026.

But, on Tuesday, he first appeared at the Kaduna State High Court for a separate charge filed against him by the ICPC.

The absence of the second defendant stalled the hearing, which was then adjourned to 10 April 2026.

Subsequently, he was taken to the Federal High Court, Kaduna, which was scheduled to hear his application for bail today, Wednesday.

Shortly after the court’s proceedings, the former governor was returned to the ICPC custody pending the continuation of his trial on Wednesday.

Daily Trust reports that the chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was taken to the court amid tight security, less than 24 hours after he received dignitaries over the death of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai.

Confirming the adjournment of the bail application to one of our correspondents on Tuesday, El-Rufai’s Counsel, Upong Akpan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the hearing on the bail application would determine his client’s fate temporarily.

Akpan, who did not go into details, expressed confidence that the former governor would regain his freedom in due time.

“I’m sorry, I can’t talk now, we are in the middle of work. I have to go and file responses. The hearing of the bail application has been adjourned till tomorrow,” he told Daily Trust.

Charges against El-Rufai

El-Rufai is standing trial before the Federal High Court on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.

The charges include: alleged unlawful receipt of about N289.8 million as severance allowance above-entitled benefits; alleged receipt of $320,800 through multiple deposits into a domiciliary account; alleged receipt of $155,800 and $305,300 from separate individuals; and alleged receipt of smaller dollar deposits from different persons at various times.

He denied all allegations levelled against him.

What happened in court

In the court, the Defence Counsel filed a motion, urging the presiding judge, Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa, to recuse himself from the case on grounds of alleged bias and a pending petition.

However, another motion was subsequently filed to withdraw the earlier request seeking the judge’s recusal.

The prosecution also filed a counter-affidavit opposing the bail application, which contributed to the adjournment.

Earlier, El-Rufai, who was arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo before Justice Darious Khobo on separate charges, was scheduled to be docked alongside his co-defendant, one Amadu Sule, but the latter was absent in Court over reported ill-health.

Specifically, ICPC said the duo were being arraigned over allegations that border on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage.

It was gathered that the case, with charge number KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, was adjourned to April 10, 2026, for further hearing. The anti-graft agency had earlier explained that both charges were filed on March 18, 2026.

Specifically, armed personnel of the police, DSS and Kaduna State Vigilance Service were deployed to strategic locations, while major roads, including Ali Akilu Road, witnessed heavy traffic due to movement restrictions.

Journalists were barred from covering the proceedings, as the prosecuting counsel, Dr Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, declined to speak to the media.

Similarly, the Defence counsel, Ubong Akpan (SAN), also declined to comment at the State High Court.

The spokesman of the ICPC, John Odey, could not be reached last night when contacted, as calls to his mobile phone did not connect.

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News

Kinsmen seek justice for son thrown from four-storey building

Published

11 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The kinsmen of 42-year-old Emeka Okafor are demanding justice following his death, after he was allegedly thrown down from a four-storey building.

South-East Punch learnt that the deceased died after the tragic fall from the fourth floor of the property located along Afubera Street, Odoakpu, near Onitsha, in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He was said to have died in the early hours of Friday.

The incident happened after the deceased was allegedly accused of stealing some boxer shorts belonging to his employer, who owns the property.

The kinsmen of the deceased subsequently raised a delegation from Ogboji community in the Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, where the deceased hailed from, to the Central Police Station in Onitsha to demand justice over the gruesome killing of Okafor.

The delegation was led by the President General of the community, Ndubuisi Nwaedozie; Regent of Ogboji Community, Dr Kay Anyacho, as well as other members of the community, including some of the family members of the deceased.

During the visit on Monday, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olusegun Kayode, on behalf of the CPS Division, assured members of the delegation that the matter would not be swept under the carpet, adding that investigations have commenced.

Kayode appealed to the people not to take the law into their own hands, noting that some suspects have been arrested and the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department, in Awka for further and proper investigation.

He urged the media to liaise with the state Police Public Relations Officer, for proper briefing on the matter, as he was not authorised to speak with the media.

Speaking to journalists amid tears shortly after meeting with the police, the junior brother of the deceased, Sunday Oguejiofor, alleged that his elder brother was gang-killed after being accused of theft.

Oguejiofor said, “He was the manager in the said property, he also resided in the building and was also employed by the owner to supervise his factory. Some parts of the building is being used as a factory.

“He called me two weeks ago that the wife of his employer has been threatening to deal with him for no justifiable reason before the unfortunate incident happened.

“I was at home when I received a call some days ago that my brother has died after he was thrown down from the fourth floor of the building. Only for me to arrive at the vicinity to meet his lifeless body. His head was tied with a piece of cloth, suggesting his face was covered before they threw him down.

“He was falsely accused of stealing boxer shorts from the factory he supervised, I learnt some of the workers beat him and locked him up for three days before he was thrown down from the fourth floor of the building around 3am that fateful day.

“He was 42-years-old. He was not yet married. I am begging the Police and other concern authorities to come to our aid, we want justice for our late brother.”

Other members of the delegation, who spoke, insisted that Okafor was falsely accused, beaten and thrown to his death from the four-storey building.

The President General, Ogboji Development Union, Nwaedozie, said what the community wants is total justice for the late Emeka Okafor.

Nwaedozie said, “We urged the police authorities not to sweep the matter under the carpet because we are very much interested in this case. We can’t afford to lose a young promising man of 42-year-old just like that. Justice must be served. We want those behind this to face justice. The incident is shocking and painful.”

Other members of the delegation included the Councillor Representing Ogboji Ward, Ikechukwu Nwokoye; the APGA councillorship candidate for Ogboji Ward, Ernest Uba; the Chairman OTU, Onitsha branch, Nze Obinna Okafor; Patron, OTU, Onitsha Branch, Nze Arinze Nwokoye; Onyebuchi Sunday, Kenechukwu Orajiaka, and siblings of the deceased, Sunday Oguejiofor and Enuma Okafor.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said major suspects have been arrested and investigations is ongoing.

Ikenga said an autopsy will be conducted for other necessary findings and actions.

He said, “There are so many comments going viral that are aiding the investigation, some allegedly said the victim was killed by those who employed him. While others said the deceased attempted to escape by jumping down from the building after being locked in a room; and so many other testimonies from some witnesses at the scene.

“I can assure you that the police are working with all the information to make sure we ensure justice is served. The case is under investigation. But the suspects are in custody.”

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INEC chair urges stronger laws to safeguard democracy

Published

12 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Amupitan (SAN), has called for a more robust and adaptive legal framework to address emerging governance challenges in Nigeria’s fast-evolving digital landscape.

Amupitan made the call on Tuesday while chairing the 47th Founders’ Day Lecture of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, held at the Ayo Ajomo Auditorium, University of Lagos.

The lecture was themed: “Civic Participation, Rule of Law and Accountable Governance in a Digital Era.”

He stated that technological advancement has significantly altered governance structures globally, stressing the need for Nigeria’s legal and institutional frameworks to keep pace in order to safeguard democratic processes.

“We are living in a time when technology is fundamentally reshaping governance.

“From digital platforms that amplify citizens’ voices to tools that enhance transparency, technology is creating vast opportunities for participation and accountability,” Amupitan said.

He, however, warned that the digital space also presented serious risks.

“We are confronted with misinformation, digital manipulation, data breaches and concerns around artificial intelligence. These developments test the resilience of our legal system,” he added.

The INEC boss emphasised that innovation must not outstrip regulation.

“Technological advancements must not outpace regulation or undermine democratic institutions. Nigeria needs a forward-looking legal framework that promotes transparency while preserving the integrity of governance,” he stated.

Reflecting on the significance of Founders’ Day, Amupitan described it as both a moment of reflection and a call to action.

According to him, institutions remain relevant not merely by their history but by their responsiveness and impact.

He commended NIALS for bridging the gap between legal theory and practice, urging it to intensify its engagement with emerging digital governance issues.

“As the leading centre of legal scholarship, NIALS must continue interrogating new issues, generating evidence-based insights and guiding the development of adaptive legal frameworks,” he said.

Delivering the keynote lecture, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Theodore Maiyaki, stressed the importance of civic participation while cautioning that technology could undermine democracy if not properly regulated.

He noted that digital transformation has redefined how societies interact and govern.

“Citizens no longer participate only through town halls or ballot boxes, but through hashtags, petitions, online campaigns and virtual communities,” he said.

Describing the digital era as both enabling and disruptive, Maiyaki warned that tools designed to expand access to information could also fuel misinformation, manipulation and surveillance.

“Technology can strengthen democracy or weaken it; empower citizens or control them. That is why safeguards are essential in any democratic system,” he said.

He stressed that civic engagement must go beyond elections. “Governance is not the exclusive domain of elected officials. Citizens must engage continuously. Democracy collapses when public voices go silent,” he added.

Maiyaki also expressed concern over declining elite participation in Nigeria’s political processes, particularly during party congresses, and called for greater commitment to democratic engagement.

On the rule of law, he maintained that it must translate into tangible benefits for citizens.

“It must go beyond theory and elite discourse to deliver functional schools, hospitals, jobs and basic amenities,” he said, noting that delays in justice delivery and perceived political interference had eroded public trust.

He called for stronger safeguards in digital governance, including enhanced data protection, cybersecurity, and transparency in the deployment of artificial intelligence.

“Digital innovation must strengthen transparency, not obscure it, because accountability is a public trust,” he stated.

In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Prof Abiola Sanni (SAN), advocated closer collaboration between the faculty and NIALS to advance legal scholarship.

“We are committed to building productive linkages with NIALS, drawing inspiration from global models,” he said.

Sanni highlighted ongoing developments within the faculty, including improved infrastructure, digital libraries and modern lecture facilities, expressing optimism that they would enhance academic excellence and professional training.

Earlier, the Director-General of NIALS, Prof Abdulqadir Abikan, reiterated the institute’s commitment to supporting governance through research and policy engagement.

He traced the institute’s origin to the 1966 Nigerian Association of Law Teachers conference and paid tribute to past leaders whose contributions shaped its growth.

According to him, NIALS has continued to provide policy support in key areas such as criminal justice, environmental law, anti-money laundering and consumer protection.

He disclosed that a recent MacArthur-funded project produced policy bulletins, case digests and 23 draft court rules.

Abikan added that the institute trained 972 participants across 31 capacity-building programmes in 2025.

He acknowledged challenges, including inflation, staff attrition and infrastructure constraints, but noted ongoing efforts to address them.

He also announced the recovery of the institute’s property at Dolphin Estate after a protracted 16-year legal dispute.

The Director-General appealed to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), for support in completing the institute’s permanent headquarters in Abuja.

Among dignitaries present at the event were Obi Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN), the Asagba of Asaba; Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN); Justice Hakeem Oshodi; and Justice Modupe Nicole-Clay.

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