By Ken Chiwendu
The Federal High Court in Abuja has returned a former Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SaaN, his wife and son to prison on remand following their re-arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on corruption charges.
While Malami and his son, Abubakar Abdulazeez Malami, were ordered to be taken to Kuje prison in Abuja, the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik directed that his wife, Asabe, be taken to Suleja prison in Niger State.
The judge issued the order on Friday shortly after the plea of the three defendants was taken in the N8.7 billion corruption charge.
Malami’s Counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had drawn the attention of the court to the January 7 bail granted by Justice Emeka Nwite of the same court and perfected by Malami.
He urged the court to adopt the same bail conditions on the ground that the Federal High Court is one in Nigeria, and in the interest of justice.
Although the counsel to EFCC, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, confirmed the grant and perfection of the bail conditions, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the proceedings before Justice Emeka Nwite had been legally terminated and that fresh bail applications must be filed.
Attempts by Daudu to move oral bail applications was rejected by the judge.
Consequently, Justice Abdulmalik fixed March 6 for argument on the bail applications and trial.
On January 7,Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted Malami, his wife and son bail of ₦500 million each, with strict conditions including the submission of landed property documents and travelling papers.
