Former Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami, SAN has accused the Department of State Security Services, DSS of violating his human rights over prolonged detention in the custody of the secret police.
Nigeria’s former Chief law officer.who is standing trial alongside his son and wife over allegations bordering on money laundering, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and subsequently remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
A federal high court in Abuja granted him bail in the sum of N500 million on January 7th 2026, but he was rearrested shortly after his release from the facility on Monday, DSS operatives arrested Malami at the front of Kuje prison.
In a statement released by Mohammed Bello Doka,.Special Assistant on Media to Abubakar Malami, SAN on Saturday, raised the alarm over DSS detention and obstruction of legal defence in EFCC interim forfeiture case.
“This sequence of events clearly suggests a pattern where arrest precedes investigation, with evidence sought after detention—an approach that is a blatant violation of the rule of law and constitutionally guaranteed rights.
“It is deeply troubling that the DSS appears to be adopting a similar practice of arrest, detention, and then evidence gathering.
“No agency should be permitted to neutralise judicial orders through coordinated delays, rearrests, or denial of access to legal representation. Such actions undermine the authority of the courts and pose a serious threat to fundamental human rights.
“Malami remains ready to defend himself fully in court and in accordance with the law, and calls on all state institutions to respect court orders, constitutional guarantees, and the rule of law”, according to the statement, which also lamented the delay in submission of Malami’s international passport to the court by the EFCC.
He should be tried and judged.
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Why is the Dss taking more time?