Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) arrived at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, January 2, 2026, for the hearing of his bail application in a 16-count charge of alleged money laundering involving over N9 billion.
Malami, alongside his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami and Hajia Bashir Asabe (an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, a firm linked to the former minister), was brought to court from the Kuje Correctional Centre, where they have been remanded since their arraignment on December 30, 2025.
The defendants, prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy, unlawful acquisition of assets, and concealing the origin of funds through companies such as Metropolitan Auto Tech Ltd and Meethaq Hotels Ltd.
Key allegations include procuring companies to launder sums exceeding N1 billion between 2020 and 2025, some allegedly occurring while Malami was in office.
During the December 30 proceedings, Justice Emeka Nwite rejected an oral bail application by the defence team, led by Joseph Daudu (SAN), ruling that the EFCC needed time to respond to the written bail motions already filed.
The judge emphasised fair hearing principles, stating that granting bail without the prosecution's response would amount to an "ambush."
The EFCC, represented by Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), opposed immediate bail and requested an accelerated trial.
The case has attracted significant attention as one of the highest-profile prosecutions of a former top official from the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
The court is expected to rule on the bail applications following arguments from both sides.
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