Former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, has quietly returned to the Federal High Court in Abuja, as his legal team sought the intervention of Justice Emeke Nwite to facilitate his release from Kuje Correctional Centre, following a reported attempt by a surety to withdraw from his bail arrangement.

Sources disclosed that a team of Malami’s lawyers and loyalists appeared before the court on Friday after one of the sureties involved in the bail process allegedly threatened to pull out, despite the bail having been completed and signed by the judge a day earlier.

“A group of Malami’s lawyers and loyalists returned to the Federal High Court on Friday, seeking the judge’s understanding to ensure his release from Kuje Prison,” a source familiar with the development told SaharaReporters. “It is understood that a surety wanted to withdraw after the bail had already been perfected.”

As of the close of proceedings on Friday, it remained unclear whether the court reached a definitive resolution on the matter. However, a legal practitioner close to the case said the move was aimed at preventing complications that could delay Malami’s release.

Justice Nwite had earlier granted bail to Malami, his wife, and his son in the sum of ₦500 million each, with stringent conditions. These included the provision of two sureties per defendant, each owning landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa, submission of verified property documents, affidavits of means, and the deposit of travel documents with the court.

Despite meeting all bail conditions, Malami reportedly declined to leave custody, citing fears that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) might immediately rearrest him upon release.

Sources revealed that Malami instructed his legal team to seek an ex parte order restraining security agencies—particularly the DSS—from re-arresting him. However, no such protective order was granted, making his continued stay at Kuje a matter of personal choice rather than a subsisting court order.

According to insiders, Malami believes remaining in custody offers greater safety, especially in light of a separate DSS investigation reportedly linked to the discovery of arms and ammunition at his country home in Kebbi State.

The weapons were allegedly uncovered during a search by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Since arms-related offences fall outside the EFCC’s mandate, the items were reportedly handed over to the DSS for further investigation. While the exact quantity of the recovered arms remains unclear, sources say it was significant enough to trigger a full-scale probe.

Malami was arraigned on December 30, 2025, alongside Asabe and Abdulaziz, on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering involving ₦8.71 billion, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 assets allegedly linked to Malami and his two sons, valued at ₦213.23 billion. The court granted a 14-day window for Malami and other interested parties to prove that the assets were lawfully acquired, failing which the properties may be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The forfeiture order was made under the Non-Conviction Asset Forfeiture provisions of the EFCC Establishment Act, following an application by the anti-graft agency. The properties are located across Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Kebbi, and are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.