Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has fulfilled all court-imposed bail conditions, yet has declined to leave Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, citing fears of immediate rearrest by the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to sources familiar with the matter, Malami instructed his legal team to urgently approach the court for an ex parte order preventing security agencies, particularly the DSS, from detaining him upon release. However, no such protective order has yet been granted, meaning his continued stay in prison is voluntary rather than legally mandated.

A source told SaharaReporters that Malami believes remaining in custody is safer than risking an immediate rearrest, which could result in fresh detention outside the control of correctional authorities.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had approved Malami’s bail on Wednesday, along with bail for his wife and son, set at ₦500 million each. The release came with strict conditions, including the submission of property documents and travel papers.

The judge required that each defendant provide two sureties of equivalent sum, each owning landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa. The court also mandated verification of these property documents by the Deputy Chief Registrar and that the sureties submit affidavits of means.

Additionally, the defendants were ordered to deposit travel documents with the court, refrain from international travel without court approval, and provide two recent passport photographs each to the court registry.

Despite satisfying all these conditions, Malami has chosen to remain in Kuje, highlighting ongoing tension between judicial orders and security concerns.