Immediate-past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), has come under fresh scrutiny following the discovery of arms and ammunition at his country home in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
according to The Nation, the weapons were uncovered by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during a search of the former minister’s residence.
The arms were handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for a comprehensive investigation, as the matter falls outside the EFCC’s core mandate.
Although the exact quantity of the arms and ammunition has not been officially disclosed, insiders said the cache was substantial enough to warrant a full-scale DSS probe.
Malami, who was granted bail last week alongside his sons — Abdulaziz, Abiru-Rahman, and others — remains in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre, having failed to perfect his bail conditions.
However, sources alleged that the former minister may be deliberately delaying the process to stall the DSS investigation into the weapons found in his home.
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“The former minister is being separately investigated for allegedly keeping arms in his house in Birnin Kebbi. The inventory of the shocking discovery has been handed over to the DSS,” a source disclosed.
“It is now left to Malami to explain to the DSS how he came about the arms. That is why he is yet to perfect his bail conditions. He is holed up in prison to avoid arrest by the DSS. DSS operatives are already within the Kuje Correctional Service to invite him. He got wind of their presence and raised the alarm, but the law must take its course.”
Another EFCC source confirmed that Malami had not met the requirements for his release.
“By our records, the ex-AGF is still in custody. We have seen several fake clips circulating on social media claiming he returned to Kebbi State and was given a rousing reception. Those claims are false,” the source said.
According to the EFCC, investigations into Malami’s activities did not begin recently. A source revealed that the probe started during the tenure of former Acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, and continued under another Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Chukkol, before reaching the current Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
“There is nothing vindictive about this investigation. It has been ongoing since 2019. It is an inherited case, and the ex-AGF is fully aware of this,” the source added.
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Olukoyede confirmed during a national television interview on Sunday night that he inherited the Malami case upon assuming office.
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja last week ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 assets allegedly linked to Malami and his two sons. The properties, located in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Birnin Kebbi, are valued at ₦213,234,120,000.
The court granted Malami, his sons, or any other interested claimant 14 days to provide evidence that the assets were legitimately acquired. Failure to do so may result in the permanent forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government.
The order followed the EFCC’s application under the Non-Conviction Asset Forfeiture provisions of the EFCC Establishment Act, further deepening the legal troubles facing the former justice minister.