Crime
Alleged terror financing: Malami faces long detention as DSS intensifies investigation
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.
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.
A source familiar with the matter said, “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.
The attack, which occurred at about 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, threw the community into mourning and heightened concerns over security in the area.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, ASP Saliu Afusat, the Kogi State Police Command said a large number of armed bandits, operating on about 40 motorcycles, invaded the school with the suspected intention of abducting students and other residents.
The statement said the Divisional Police Officer of Kabba ‘A’ Division immediately mobilised a joint security response after receiving distress calls, deploying personnel from the police division, the Police Mobile Force, and tactical teams.
It added that military personnel and local vigilante groups already stationed in the area also joined the operation.
“The combined security operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, forcing the criminals to flee into the surrounding bush.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there is presently no conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or other residents.
The Command, however, confirmed that three persons were killed during the attack.
“They include Mr Ganiyu Anifowose, the Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr Sunday Jacob Alhassan, aged 70 years; and Sunday Ayele, aged six years.”
The police said one of the attackers was neutralised during the exchange of gunfire, while a member of the joint security team sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
The Commissioner of Police has ordered sustained bush-combing operations and confidence-building patrols in the affected area. According to the Command, joint security operatives are still conducting intensive operations to apprehend fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks.
Members of the public were urged to remain calm and assist security agencies with credible information.
“Further developments will be communicated as investigations and operations progress,” the statement added.
The Edo State Government has ordered the temporary closure of three public secondary schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area following intelligence reports of a potential kidnapping threat targeting students.
The affected schools are Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School and Makeke Secondary School.
The directive, issued through the State Ministry of Education, followed security advisories warning of possible attacks on educational institutions in the area.
In a circular signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Enodolomwanyi Otamere, the government said the closure was a precautionary measure aimed at protecting students, teachers and host communities pending further security assessments.
Sources familiar with the development revealed that intelligence gathered by security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), indicated that suspected criminal elements were plotting attacks on schools in Edo North Senatorial District.
According to the sources, kidnappers may have shifted focus to schools after previous attempts to abduct wealthy individuals reportedly yielded little financial gain. Security operatives were also said to have intercepted information suggesting that attacks on schools could attract quicker attention and higher ransom payments.
Tension heightened after the arrest of a suspect allegedly caught conducting surveillance around Makeke Secondary School in early June. Investigators believe the development may be connected to the reported threat.
Following the intelligence reports, security agencies advised the state government to take preventive measures, including strengthening security around schools and other public facilities. Recommendations reportedly included increased patrols, enhanced intelligence gathering and closer collaboration with local vigilante groups and community security outfits.
The ministry announced that all academic and administrative activities in the affected schools have been suspended until further notice.
However, candidates participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will continue to sit for their papers under enhanced security arrangements.
The government said security personnel and community stakeholders would work together to ensure the safety of examination candidates throughout the exercise.
School authorities have been directed to facilitate the safe return of students to their parents and guardians, secure school facilities and maintain close communication with security agencies during the closure period.
The state government appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with security personnel, assuring them that efforts are underway to neutralise any threat and restore normal academic activities as soon as possible.
Gunmen have abducted the Vice Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State, Hon. Debo Farounbi, during an attack on Ora community along the Osun/Kwara boundary.
The incident reportedly occurred around 10 p.m. on Tuesday when the armed men invaded the community and fired several gunshots into the air, throwing residents into panic.
Farounbi was reportedly abducted alongside three other persons during the attack.
However, security operatives, including military personnel and local vigilantes stationed in the area, engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon three of the victims.
According to residents, the gunmen eventually escaped with Farounbi after the exchange of gunfire.
One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the attackers had initially succeeded in moving the victims toward a nearby bush before security operatives intervened.
“Four people, two Fulani women and two men including the Ifedayo Local Government Vice Chairman, Debo Farounbi were abducted. But the resistance put up by the military made the perpetrators to abandon three people.
“They however went away with Farounbi. Our people did not sleep throughout the night. We are in serious fear. The incident happened around 10 p.m. on Tuesday,” the resident said.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said security agencies had launched efforts to rescue the council vice chairman.
“One person was abducted. He is a local government vice chairman, Hon. Debo Farounbi. Immediately the incident happened, the military, police and others responded. Efforts are in place to rescue the man. It is abduction until we are able to prove that it is a case of kidnapping,” Ojelabi stated.
A middle-aged woman has been arrested by the police in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State for allegedly throwing her five-year-old physically challenged son into a river after a self-proclaimed prophet reportedly told her that the child was a python.
The suspect was apprehended by angry residents shortly after the incident at a riverbank in the community.
According to reports, the woman confessed that she acted on the instruction of a spiritualist based in Benin City, who allegedly convinced her that the child was responsible for her inability to have more children.
The woman explained that she had suffered several miscarriages after giving birth to the child and sought spiritual assistance in an effort to overcome her fertility challenges.
In a video circulating on social media, the suspect reportedly said: “Every pregnancy ended in miscarriage. A seer told me to put my five-year-old child inside the river and that I would be able to give birth again. The seer said if I put my baby inside the river, the child would turn into a python.”
She claimed the spiritualist convinced her that the physically challenged child was a spiritual obstacle preventing her from conceiving successfully.
Acting on the alleged advice, she reportedly took the child to a nearby river and threw him into the water.
Residents who noticed her suspicious movements near the riverbank reportedly rushed to the scene but arrived after the child had already been thrown into the river.
The woman was immediately detained by community members and later handed over to law enforcement authorities.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents, child rights advocates and public health experts, who condemned the role of superstition and misinformation in the tragedy.
The suspect is currently in police custody and is expected to face prosecution.
Meanwhile, community leaders and human rights groups have called for the arrest and prosecution of the self-styled prophet alleged to have influenced the woman to commit the act.
Police authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The Enugu State Police Command has dismissed as false a viral social media report alleging that armed herdsmen attacked a school in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.
The Command said investigations and security assessments conducted following the circulation of the report confirmed that no such incident occurred in Ezeagu or any other part of Enugu State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the Command described the report as a deliberate fabrication capable of creating fear, panic, and confusion among residents, particularly school administrators, teachers, students, and parents.
According to the police, operatives immediately carried out on-the-spot security assessments, intelligence gathering, operational checks, and discreet investigations, all of which established that the alleged attack never took place.
The Command condemned the spread of false information and warned that those responsible for originating and disseminating the report would be identified and prosecuted.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has directed the Command’s Tactical and Intelligence Units to intensify efforts to track down the perpetrators and ensure they face the full weight of the law.
The police boss reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining peace and public order across Enugu State.
He urged residents to disregard the report, remain calm and vigilant, and continue to report suspicious activities to security agencies.
The Command also encouraged members of the public to make use of its emergency lines — 08032003702, 08086671202, 112, 09134666668, and 09134448093 — to report security concerns.
The police reiterated that misinformation and alarmist reports pose a threat to public peace and warned against the dissemination of unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic.
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