Immediate-past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), is now the subject of a new security probe following the discovery of weapons at his residence in Kebbi State.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

According to findings, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) uncovered the arms and ammunition while carrying out a search at Malami’s country home in Birnin Kebbi.

Because weapons-related matters fall outside its mandate, the anti-graft agency reportedly transferred the cache to the Department of State Services (DSS) for a full-scale investigation.

Although the exact quantity has not been disclosed, sources said the stockpile was large enough to warrant serious scrutiny by the DSS.

Malami, who was granted bail last week alongside his sons, Abdulaziz, Abiru-Rahman and others remains in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre after failing to meet his bail conditions.

However, insiders believe the delay may be deliberate, aimed at frustrating the separate DSS investigation into the weapons allegedly recovered from his home.

One source told The Nation that: “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.

“It is now left to Malami to explain to the DSS how he came about the arms. That’s why he is yet to perfect his bail conditions. He is holed up in prison to avoid arrest by the DSS.

“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.”

Another EFCC insider confirmed that Malami had not fulfilled the terms attached to his bail.
“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 official further disclosed that the investigation into Malami did not begin recently.
“The investigation into Malami’s activities during his tenure began when former EFCC Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu was in office.

“Investigation continued through the administration of another Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Chukkol, to the present Executive Chairman. Chukkol, who works in the agency, was in charge briefly before Olukoyede’s appointment.

“There is nothing vindictive about his investigation since 2019. It is an inherited case, and the ex-AGF knows this.”

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede also confirmed in a television interview that he inherited the Malami case upon assuming office.

Meanwhile, the legal pressure on the former justice minister has intensified. Last week, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to Malami and two of his sons. The assets, valued at N213,234,120,000, were seized under the Non-Conviction Asset Forfeiture provisions of the EFCC Act.

The court gave Malami and the affected parties 14 days to prove that the properties were lawfully acquired, warning that failure to do so would result in their permanent confiscation by the Federal Government.

The EFCC had asked the court to seize the properties, which are spread across Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Birnin Kebbi, on the grounds that they were suspected to be proceeds of corruption.