Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has fulfilled all the bail conditions imposed on him by the Federal High Court following approval for his release.
However, SaharaReporters has learnt that despite meeting the requirements for his freedom, Malami has chosen to remain inside the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja over fears that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) may immediately rearrest him once he steps outside the facility.
Sources familiar with the situation disclosed that the former minister directed his legal team to urgently approach the court to seek an ex parte order restraining security agencies—particularly the DSS—from arresting him upon release.
According to the sources, no such protective order has been granted so far. As a result, Malami’s continued stay in custody is not due to any subsisting court order but a personal decision driven by security concerns.
A source explained that the former Attorney-General believes remaining within the correctional facility offers more protection than risking an immediate rearrest that could lead to fresh detention outside the oversight of prison authorities.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had on Wednesday granted Malami, his wife and son bail in the sum of ₦500 million each, with strict conditions attached.
The court ordered that each defendant must provide two sureties in like sum, with the sureties owning landed property in Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarinpa. The judge also directed that all defendants submit their travel documents to the court and obtain permission before leaving the country.
Justice Nwite further ordered that property documents submitted be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court, while the sureties are required to depose to an affidavit of means. The defendants and their sureties were also instructed to submit two recent passport photographs each to the court registry.
