The Department of State Services (DSS) has launched a critical investigation into Nigeria's immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), following the startling discovery of a cache of arms and ammunition at his private residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Weapons Handover Triggers DSS Probe
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly made the discovery during a search of the former minister's country home. According to senior security sources, the anti-graft agency promptly transferred the recovered weapons to the DSS because investigating illegal arms possession falls outside the EFCC's statutory mandate.
A source confirmed, "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." While the exact number of weapons has not been officially disclosed, insiders described the volume as significant enough to warrant a full-scale security probe.
Malami Remains in Custody Amid Bail Issues
The fresh investigation compounds the legal troubles for Malami, who, along with his sons Abdulaziz and Abiru-Rahman, was granted bail last week but remains in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre. Reports indicate he has yet to perfect his bail conditions.
An EFCC source dismissed social media claims that Malami had returned to Kebbi State, stating, "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." Another official claimed DSS operatives were near the Kuje facility to formally invite Malami for questioning regarding the arms.
Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of 57 Assets
In a parallel development, a Federal High Court in Abuja last week ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to Malami and his two sons. The assets, valued at approximately ₦213.2 billion, are located in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Birnin Kebbi.
The court granted the former minister and other claimants 14 days to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government. The order followed an EFCC application under the Non-Conviction Asset Forfeiture provisions of the EFCC Establishment Act.
EFCC Insists Probe is Long-Standing, Not Political
The EFCC has maintained that its investigation into Malami's activities is neither new nor politically motivated. Agency sources stated the probe began during the tenure of former acting chairman Ibrahim Magu and continued through the administration of another acting chairman, Ibrahim Chukkol, to the present executive chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
"There is nothing vindictive about his investigation since 2019. It is an inherited case, and the ex-AGF knows this," a source stated. Chairman Olukoyede later confirmed in a national television interview that he inherited the Malami case upon assuming office.
Meanwhile, Malami has called for the EFCC chairman to recuse himself from the investigation, alleging witch-hunt over his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The security and anti-corruption agencies are proceeding with their respective investigations as the legal processes unfold.
