Security operatives have rearrested Abdulaziz Malami, son of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja shortly after bail arrangements for his release were completed.
The rearrest reportedly occurred on Friday, moments after court bailiffs from the Federal High Court arrived at the facility with fully processed bail documents to secure his release.
Sources said security agents, acting on fresh intelligence and monitoring movements around the prison, took Abdulaziz into custody almost immediately after he was released to officials facilitating his exit.
“He was released to the court bailiffs with all the bail papers duly processed, but was immediately rearrested by security agents,” a source disclosed.
Abdulaziz, alongside his father, Abubakar Malami, and Malami’s wife, Asabe, is facing trial before Justice Inyang Ekwo Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering involving N8.7 billion.
Earlier this month, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained an interim forfeiture order on 57 landed properties allegedly linked to the former justice minister.
The properties, valued at about N213.23 billion, are spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states.
Some of the assets were also said to be connected to Malami’s sons, Abdulaziz and Abiru-Rahman Malami, as well as his wife, Asabe.
The forfeiture order was granted less than 12 hours after the Federal High Court approved bail for Malami, his wife and son in the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case to February 17 for trial.
The affected properties reportedly include university buildings, agro-allied factories, hotels, pharmacies, supermarkets, schools, filling stations, shops and other commercial developments.
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