A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) Abubakar Malami, has met all the bail conditions imposed by the Federal High Court in Abuja but has declined to leave the Kuje Correctional Centre over fears of being immediately rearrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) .
Naijaonpoint understands Justice Emeka Nwite had last Wednesday granted Malami, his wife and son bail after approving their release from custody.
Fear Of Rearrest
Despite fulfilling the conditions for his release, SaharaReporters publication claimed that the former minister chose to remain in custody, citing concerns that DSS operatives might take him into fresh detention once he steps out of the correctional facility.
Sources familiar with the development told the news platform that Malami has instructed his legal team to urgently approach the court for an ex parte order restraining security agencies, particularly the DSS, from re-arresting him upon release.
It was, however, learnt that no such protective order has been granted by the court, leaving Malami’s continued stay at the Kuje Correctional Centre as a personal decision rather than one backed by any subsisting court order.
A source said the former Attorney-General believes remaining in custody is safer than risking an immediate rearrest, which could lead to fresh detention outside the control of correctional authorities.
Naijaonpoint reports that Justice Nwite granted Malami, his wife and son bail in the sum of ₦500 million each, with strict conditions attached.
The judge ruled that each defendant must produce two sureties in like sum, with the sureties owning landed property in Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarinpa areas of Abuja.
The court further ordered that all the defendants must submit their travel documents to the court and must not travel outside the country without prior permission.
The documents of the landed properties provided by the sureties are to be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court, while the sureties are also required to depose to affidavits of means.
In addition, the defendants and their sureties were directed to submit two recent passport photographs each to the court registry.