Former AGF Malami Alleges DSS Denying Him Access to Lawyers, Violating Constitutional Rights
Abubakar Malami (SAN), Nigeria’s former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has raised the alarm over what his camp describes as unlawful detention by the Department of State Services (DSS), alleging that the agency has denied him access to his legal team and violated his constitutional rights
According to sources close to Malami, the former AGF was held in DSS custody for several days without being allowed to consult his lawyers or family. His aides claim that even after meeting bail conditions in a separate EFCC interim forfeiture case, Malami was rearrested by the DSS, further restricting his ability to prepare for ongoing legal proceedings. Malami’s team described the detention as a violation of due process, arguing that it undermines court orders and the fundamental right to fair hearing guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution. They further allege that these actions have occurred at a critical stage of legal proceedings, effectively obstructing justice. Speaking through his representatives, Malami insisted that he remains ready to defend himself in court and called for adherence to legal procedures. He also denied allegations of terrorism, terrorism financing, and illegal arms possession, stating that no arms were found in his residence and describing media reports on the matter as a “media trial. The situation highlights ongoing concerns regarding the conduct of security agencies in high-profile detentions and raises questions about respect for bail orders, legal representation, and constitutional safeguards. As of now, Malami’s legal team is seeking unrestricted access to him and calling for all actions to comply with due process, while observers continue to monitor the developments closely.
