A fresh security investigation has been opened into Nigeria’s immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), following the discovery of arms and ammunition in his residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
The discovery was reportedly made by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during a search of the former minister’s country home as part of an ongoing investigation into his activities while in office. According to security sources, the EFCC later handed over the matter to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation because issues relating to illegal possession of arms fall under the mandate of the DSS.
A senior security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that weapons were found in the house and that an inventory of the arms and ammunition had been prepared and transferred to the DSS.
“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,” the source said.
Although the authorities have not officially disclosed the number or type of arms recovered, multiple sources said the quantity was large enough to raise serious concern and justify a full-scale investigation by the DSS.
“It is now left to Malami to explain to the DSS how he came about the arms. That is why this investigation is critical,” another security source added.
There were also reports that DSS operatives had moved close to the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja to formally invite the former minister for questioning over the arms discovery.
“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,” a source familiar with the situation said.
Malami, who served as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was one of the most powerful figures in the previous administration. As the chief law officer of the federation, he played a key role in legal advice to the government, prosecution of cases, and oversight of major legal reforms. His position also placed him at the centre of several high-profile and controversial government decisions during that period.
In recent months, the former minister has come under increasing scrutiny from anti-corruption and security agencies. The EFCC has been investigating him over alleged financial misconduct, abuse of office, and questionable asset acquisitions linked to him and members of his family.
Despite being granted bail last week by a court alongside his two sons, Abdulaziz and Abiru-Rahman, Malami remains in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre after reportedly failing to meet the conditions attached to his bail.
An EFCC source dismissed claims circulating on social media that the former minister had been released and had returned to Kebbi State, where he was allegedly given a rousing welcome by supporters.
“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 said.
The EFCC has also moved to counter suggestions that the investigation into Malami is politically motivated or targeted at him because of a change in government. According to the commission, the probe predates the current leadership of the EFCC and has been ongoing for several years.
An EFCC official explained that the case began during the tenure of former acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu, and continued under another acting chairman, Ibrahim Chukkol, before being inherited by the current executive chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
“The investigation continued through the administration of another acting chairman 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,” the source stated.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede later confirmed this position during an interview on national television, where he said he met the Malami case on ground when he assumed office and simply allowed due process to continue.
The legal troubles of the former minister deepened last week when a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 assets linked to Malami and his two sons. The assets, which include houses and other properties located in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Birnin Kebbi, are valued at about ₦213.2 billion.
The court granted Malami and other interested parties 14 days to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government. The order followed an application filed by the EFCC under the Non-Conviction Asset Forfeiture provisions of the EFCC Establishment Act.
Under this law, the government can temporarily seize assets suspected to be proceeds of crime, even without a criminal conviction, if investigators can show reasonable grounds that the properties were unlawfully acquired. The burden then shifts to the owners to prove that the assets were obtained through legitimate means.
In its ruling, the court held that failure by the former minister and other claimants to satisfactorily establish that the assets were lawfully acquired could result in their permanent forfeiture to the Federal Government.
The case has attracted wide public attention, given Malami’s former role as the nation’s chief law officer and his repeated public statements in the past about fighting corruption and upholding the rule of law. Civil society groups and legal experts have said the matter is a major test for Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions and their ability to investigate powerful former officials without fear or favour.