A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, his wife, Asabe Bashir, and their son, Abdulaziz Malami, in an alleged N8.7 billion money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling delivered on Wednesday, admitted each of the defendants to bail in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties each in like sum.
The court ordered that the sureties must own verifiable properties in the Maitama or Gwarinpa areas of Abuja.
The judge further directed the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court and barred them from travelling outside Nigeria without prior approval.
Pending the perfection of the bail conditions, the defendants are to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.
Justice Nwite held that the key consideration in granting bail was whether the defendants would make themselves available for trial and refrain from interfering with witnesses.
He noted that the EFCC’s objections, particularly on the likelihood of the defendants jumping bail or influencing witnesses, were “not concrete enough,” adding that he was granting bail “in the interest of justice.”
Meeting the bail conditions will bring an end to Mr Malami’s cumulative 31-day detention in the custody of the EFCC and the Correctional Centre.
He was detained by the EFCC from 8 December to 30 December 2025 before being remanded in Kuje following his arraignment.
His wife and son have spent 16 days in custody, having been detained by the EFCC between 23 and 30 December before their arraignment and remand.
Mr Malami, who served as AGF under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023, is standing trial alongside his wife and son on 16 counts of money laundering involving about N8.7 billion.
The EFCC accused them of retaining proceeds of unlawful activity and acquiring assets with funds of suspicious origin. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
At the bail hearing held on 2 January, defence counsel argued that the offences were bailable and urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, while the EFCC opposed the application, citing the gravity of the allegations and the risk of interference with witnesses. After considering arguments from both sides, the court reserved ruling until 7 January.
In delivering the ruling, Justice Nwite said he had carefully evaluated the evidence and was mindful of the seriousness of the allegations and their economic implications.
However, he stressed that the decisive factor at the bail stage was the assurance of the defendants’ availability for trial and non-interference with the judicial process.
The judge also warned lawyers and parties against attempting to contact him privately during the trial, stating that such conduct would not be tolerated and that “the law cannot be bent.”
The case was adjourned to 17 February for the commencement of trial.
