Fresh trouble has emerged for former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), following a new investigation into arms and ammunition reportedly discovered in his residence
A report published on Monday by The Nation said operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission uncovered the weapons during a search of Malami’s country home in Kebbi State. The EFCC was said to have transferred the arms to the Department of State Services for further investigation, citing its lack of constitutional powers to probe illegal possession of weapons.
Although the exact quantity of the arms and ammunition could not be independently confirmed, sources indicated that the cache was significant enough to warrant a full-scale DSS investigation.
The development comes barely a week after Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted Malami, his wife Asabe Bashir, and their son Abdulaziz Malami bail in the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties, in an ongoing fraud trial. Despite the ruling, Malami remains at the Kuje Correctional Centre after failing to meet the bail conditions.
Sources suggested that the delay in perfecting his bail may be linked to the ongoing DSS probe into the arms allegedly found in his Birnin Kebbi residence.
“The former minister is being separately investigated for allegedly having arms in his house in Birnin Kebbi. The inventory of the shock find has been handed over to the DSS. It is now left to Malami to explain to the DSS how he came about the arms. That’s why he is yet to perfect his bail conditions. He is holed up in prison to avoid arrest by the DSS. DSS operatives are within the precincts of Kuje Correctional Service to invite Malami. He got wind of their presence and raised the alarm. But the law must take its course.”
Another EFCC source confirmed that Malami is still in custody, dismissing reports circulating online about his alleged return to Kebbi State.
“By our records, the ex-AGF is still in custody. We saw all manners of fake clips on social media on his purported arrival and rousing reception in Kebbi State.”
The source further disclosed that investigations into Malami’s activities date back several years.
“The investigation into Malami’s activities during his tenure began when former EFCC Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu was in office. Investigation continued through the administration of another Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Chukkol, to the present Executive Chairman. There is nothing vindictive about his investigation since 2019. It is an inherited case, and the ex-AGF knows this.”
Investigations into both the alleged arms discovery and the ongoing fraud case are expected to continue in the coming days.
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