The Office of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has raised concerns over an alleged plan by government security agencies to rearrest him immediately after his release on bail.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, the office said it had been reliably informed that fresh arrangements were underway to rearrest Malami despite a subsisting bail order granted by a court of competent jurisdiction.
According to the statement, the development “raises grave concerns about due process, the rule of law and personal safety.”
The statement further alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services had mounted surveillance at the Kuje Correctional Service facility and were on standby to effect the rearrest on what were described as “trumped-up and unrelated charges.”
It claimed that intelligence available to Malami’s office indicated that the move was aimed at ensuring his continued detention despite compliance with bail conditions.
The statement recalled that weeks earlier, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory had granted bail to Malami, but the order was allegedly not honoured by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which reportedly declined to effect his release.
“This pattern of granting bail on paper while preparing fresh arrests to ensure continued detention represents a grave assault on constitutional safeguards and an abuse of state power,” the statement said.
Malami’s office warned that the safety of the former minister, his family and staff was under serious threat, adding that any act of intimidation, unlawful detention or harm would have to be accounted for by those responsible.
“We therefore place it clearly on record that the safety of Abubakar Malami, SAN, his family and his staff is under serious threat,” the statement read.
The former AGF’s office stressed that Malami had consistently demonstrated respect for the rule of law and remained willing to submit himself to all lawful judicial processes.
It called on relevant authorities, the legal community, civil society organisations and the international community to monitor the situation and prevail on security agencies to act strictly within the confines of the law.
“What is being demanded is nothing more than obedience to court orders, fairness and constitutional protection, as guaranteed to every citizen,” the statement added.
The office said further updates would be communicated as developments unfold.