• Abubakar Malami surrenders to DSS following prolonged security blockade despite being granted bail by a Federal High Court.

• Kuje Prison siege deepens Malami DSS standoff, with his son rearrested amid heightened surveillance and intelligence concerns.

• EFCC money laundering case against Malami involves ₦8.7bn, terrorism-linked probe, and multiple high-value properties.

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has finally surrendered to operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) after several days of tension surrounding his stalled bail and a security siege at the Kuje Correctional Facility, Abuja.

Although Malami had met his bail conditions following his arraignment, he remained in custody as DSS operatives maintained a tight blockade around the prison, effectively preventing his release. What should have been a routine bail process escalated into a high-profile standoff between security agencies and the former minister.

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The situation worsened last Friday when Malami’s son, Abdulaziz Malami, was rearrested shortly after court bailiffs arrived with completed bail documents. Security sources said Abdulaziz was intercepted while attempting to leave the prison premises, following intelligence reports of efforts to move him discreetly out of custody.

On Monday, Malami surrendered to the DSS, one week after his bail was stalled and hours after activist Omoyele Sowore announced plans to visit Kuje Prison to intervene in the matter.

Earlier reports revealed that over 50 DSS operatives were deployed around Kuje Prison as a precautionary measure, following concerns that Malami might evade investigations linked to alleged terrorism-related activities and a major money laundering case.

READ ALSO: DSS rearrests Malami’s son at Kuje prison over alleged attempt to sneak him out

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Malami, his fourth wife Hajia Bashir Asabe, and Abdulaziz before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy and laundering of ₦8.7 billion in public funds. All three defendants pleaded not guilty.

According to the EFCC, Malami allegedly used corporate fronts, including Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd and Meethaq Hotels Ltd, as well as Bureau De Change operators, to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities through luxury properties in Maitama, Jabi, Asokoro, Gwarimpa, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi.

The anti-graft agency listed multiple witnesses, including bankers and investigators, and insists the case involves what it described as “monumental corruption” during Malami’s tenure in office.

Despite the allegations, Malami and his co-defendants continue to maintain their innocence as the case proceeds to full trial.