Malami Accuses DSS of Isolation, Rights Violations as Legal Battle Deepens

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of violating his fundamental rights by denying him access to his family members and legal team following his recent re-arrest in Abuja. The allegation has added a new layer of controversy to an already high-profile legal and political saga surrounding the former minister.

Malami, who served as Nigeria’s chief law officer under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, is currently facing serious allegations bordering on money laundering. He is standing trial alongside his wife and son after being arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Following his arraignment, he was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

On January 7, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted Malami bail in the sum of ₦500 million, raising expectations that he would regain his freedom pending the determination of the case. However, shortly after his release from Kuje Correctional Centre on Monday, operatives of the DSS reportedly arrested him again at the prison’s entrance, an action that sparked widespread reactions and intense public debate.

According to reports, the DSS re-arrested Malami on the grounds that arms were allegedly discovered at his residence. This claim, however, has been strongly denied by the former minister and his team. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mohammed Doka, Malami’s media aide, dismissed the reports as false, unsubstantiated, and unsupported by any official record or lawful disclosure.

Doka insisted that no cache of arms or ammunition was found in any residence linked to Malami, stressing that neither the former minister’s family nor his legal representatives have been formally informed of such a discovery. He further described the allegation as speculative and irresponsible, noting that no verifiable evidence, individuals, dates, or transactions have been cited to support the claim.

Beyond disputing the arms allegation, Malami’s camp raised serious concerns over his continued detention by the DSS. According to the statement, since his arrest on Monday, Malami has been held in isolation and denied access to his family members, lawyers, and associates. The aide described this as a violation of Malami’s constitutionally guaranteed rights, particularly his right to legal counsel and family contact.

The statement warned that the prolonged isolation raises legitimate concerns about Malami’s safety and welfare, while also placing undue emotional and psychological strain on his family and staff. It also accused some sections of the media of amplifying unverified narratives, thereby worsening the situation through sensational reporting.

Malami’s team also rejected any insinuation linking him to terrorism or terrorism financing, describing such claims as baseless and dangerous. According to them, no credible authority has named Malami in any terrorism-related activity, nor has any evidence been presented to justify such allegations.

Notably, the statement drew attention to what it described as the political undertones surrounding the case. Malami is a prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and has publicly declared his intention to contest the Kebbi State governorship election in 2027. His camp argued that, given this political context, it is imperative that legal processes remain insulated from political considerations to preserve public confidence in the rule of law.

The development has triggered a wave of reactions across the country, particularly on social media and public forums. While Malami’s supporters insist he is being unfairly treated and politically targeted, many Nigerians have expressed little sympathy, recalling his tenure as attorney-general when security agencies were frequently accused of disobeying court orders and detaining individuals without trial. Some critics argue that Malami is now experiencing the very system he once defended and enforced.

Others, however, caution against celebrating any alleged violation of due process, insisting that regardless of past actions or public sentiment, every Nigerian is entitled to the protection of fundamental rights under the constitution. They argue that the credibility of anti-corruption and security institutions depends on strict adherence to the rule of law.

As the legal battle unfolds, attention is now focused on the DSS and whether it will formally present evidence to justify Malami’s continued detention, as well as on the courts, which are expected to determine the legality of the actions taken against the former minister. For Malami, the case represents not only a personal and legal challenge but also a defining moment that could reshape his political ambitions ahead of 2027.