A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday ordered the remand of former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Asabe Bashir, over allegations of money laundering involving more than ₦1.014 billion.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in his ruling directed that Malami and his son be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, while Asabe Bashir is to be held at the Suleja Correctional Centre, pending a bail hearing fixed for 2 January 2026.
The order followed an oral application for bail made by Joseph Daudu (SAN), counsel to the defendants, after the trio were arraigned on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, concealment of illicit funds, and unlawful acquisition of assets.
The judge held that the defence could not pursue both oral and written bail applications simultaneously, stressing that allowing such would be prejudicial to the interest of fair hearing.
Earlier, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), informed the court that he was served with a written bail application by Malami’s legal team at about 8:00 p.m. on Monday. He told the court that he would require time to study the application and file an appropriate response.
Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter to 2 January 2026 to allow the prosecution respond and for the court to hear the bail application.
The defendants had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The EFCC alleged that Malami and his co-defendants handled, transferred, and concealed funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. Investigators claim that ₦1.014 billion was traced to a Sterling Bank account linked to the alleged transactions.
The agency further alleged that Malami laundered substantial sums of money to acquire luxury properties in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and other locations across the country, with assets valued at approximately ₦212.8 billion allegedly traced to him and his associates.
Malami was Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
