Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami, Son and Wife Granted ₦1.5bn Bail in Money Laundering Case
Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN, along with his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, have been granted bail totaling ₦1.5 billion by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the ruling on Wednesday, setting bail at ₦1 billion for Malami and ₦500 million for Mrs. Asabe, with corresponding sureties required for each defendant. The court ordered that each of the three must present two sureties who own landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Sureties are also to provide recent passport photographs, title documents for verification, and affidavits of means.
The judge further directed that all travel passports be surrendered to the court and warned that the defendants must not leave the country without permission. Justice Nwite said the trio would remain in custody until the conditions of their bail are perfected. The case was adjourned until February 17 for continuation of trial proceedings.
Malami, who served under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari from November 2015 to May 2023, is facing a 16-count money laundering charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was arraigned alongside his son and wife on allegations that include using corporate entities and property transactions to conceal proceeds of suspected unlawful activities.
According to the prosecution, the defendants are accused of laundering public funds amounting to several billions of naira, including through a company allegedly used to hide questionable financial dealings.