The Office of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has raised concerns over what it described as plans by government security agencies to rearrest him immediately upon his release from custody, despite an existing bail order granted by a court of competent jurisdiction.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Malami’s Special Assistant on Media Mohammed Bello Doka said it had been reliably informed that fresh arrangements were underway to rearrest Malami on what it alleged were unrelated and “trumped-up” charges, a move it warned could undermine due process and endanger his personal safety.
It recalled that weeks earlier, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) granted Malami bail, but the order was allegedly not implemented after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declined to effect his release, thereby frustrating the court’s decision.
According to the statement, intelligence available to Malami’s legal team indicates that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have mounted surveillance around the Kuje Correctional Service and are on standby to execute a rearrest immediately upon his release.
The office described the alleged practice of granting bail while preparing fresh arrests to ensure continued detention as an abuse of state power and a violation of constitutional safeguards, warning that it erodes public confidence in the justice system and disrespects judicial authority.
It further stated that the safety of Malami, his family and staff was under serious threat, stressing that any act of intimidation, unlawful detention or harm would be the responsibility of those involved.
Reaffirming Malami’s respect for the rule of law, the statement said he remains willing to submit himself to all lawful judicial processes, but insisted that security agencies must obey court orders and uphold constitutional protections.
The office called on relevant authorities, the legal community, civil society organisations and the international community to closely monitor the situation and to prevail on security agencies to act strictly within the confines of the law.
