Former Attorney-General seeks judicial intervention after bail surety signals withdrawal
Abuja — Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has quietly returned to the Federal High Court in Abuja after one of his bail sureties reportedly moved to withdraw, a development that has complicated his release from Kuje Correctional Centre, Sahara Reporters has exclusively reported.
Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that Malami, accompanied by members of his legal team, appeared discreetly before the court to seek judicial intervention following the sudden reluctance of a surety to continue with the bail arrangement already approved by the court.
The move is believed to be aimed at preventing further delays that could keep the former justice minister in detention, despite the court having earlier granted him bail in connection with an ongoing money laundering case.
Malami was previously granted bail by the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, after being arraigned alongside his wife and son on multiple counts bordering on alleged money laundering involving billions of naira.
Although his legal team reportedly fulfilled the bail conditions, fresh uncertainty emerged when a key surety allegedly indicated an intention to pull out of the agreement. This unexpected development forced Malami to return to court to seek clarification and assistance from the presiding judge.
Legal insiders say the former AGF is eager to resolve all outstanding issues surrounding his bail to enable his release from Kuje Prison without risking further legal complications.
Beyond the surety issue, reports suggest that Malami has also expressed concerns about a possible rearrest by security agencies immediately after his release, a fear that has contributed to delays in his exit from custody.
His lawyers are said to be exploring legal options, including protective court orders, to ensure that once released, he is not re-arrested in connection with the same or related allegations.
The case against Malami has continued to attract widespread public and political attention due to his former position as Nigeria’s chief law officer and the scale of the financial allegations involved.
With the former AGF now back before the court over bail-related issues, legal observers say the coming days will be critical in determining whether he finally regains freedom or remains in custody pending further judicial decisions.
