Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have reportedly rearrested Abdulaziz, the son of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. The development followed a breakdown of arrangements for his release after bail had reportedly been perfected.
Sources at the correctional centre told journalists that court bailiffs from the Federal High Court arrived with fully processed bail documents authorising Abdulaziz’s release. The process reportedly stalled when Malami allegedly insisted that his son be removed from the facility quietly, rather than leaving through standard procedures. Security officials deemed the request highly unusual, citing the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigations.
A security source said the DSS had already placed the prison under heightened surveillance and profiled all vehicles leaving the premises. Abdulaziz was intercepted shortly after he was handed over for release and immediately taken back into custody, marking a fresh twist in the high-profile case.
Abdulaziz, who previously fell ill in late December and was admitted to the prison clinic for observation, faces trial alongside his father and Malami’s fourth wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe. The trio were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on a 16-count charge of conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing, and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities totaling ₦8.7 billion, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Court documents allege that Malami used corporate entities, including Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd and Meethaq Hotels Ltd, to launder public funds. Specific charges include procuring over ₦1 billion through Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd and using ₦600 million as collateral for Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, allegedly of suspicious origin. Investigators also claim the defendants disguised payments for luxury properties in prime locations across Abuja and Kano, including Maitama, Jabi, Asokoro, Gwarimpa, and parts of Birnin Kebbi.
Security around Kuje Correctional Centre remains tight, with over 50 DSS operatives deployed to prevent any attempts to evade ongoing investigations. The trial has been adjourned as proceedings continue, with Abdulaziz’s rearrest adding a new layer of complexity to the case.
