The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, alongside his son, Abdulaziz Malami, over alleged money laundering offences running into billions of naira.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the case, directed that Malami be held at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application. The court fixed January 2, 2026, for arguments on the written bail request filed by Malami’s legal team.
The trial judge declined an oral bail application made by Malami’s lead counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu, SAN, ruling that granting it would amount to an ambush on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Nwite explained that a written bail application had already been filed and served on the anti-graft agency, and fairness demanded that the EFCC be given adequate time to respond in line with due process.
According to the judge, entertaining the oral application while the written one was still pending would deny the EFCC its right to fair hearing. He stressed that the interest of justice would be better served by allowing the prosecution to respond formally before a decision is taken on bail.
At the arraignment, Malami and his co-defendants his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, Hajia Asabe Bashir pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy and concealment of proceeds of unlawful activities. The EFCC alleged that the defendants were involved in laundering public funds estimated at over ₦12 billion.
The offences were said to have been committed between November 2015 and June 2025, a period that covers Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The anti-graft agency further disclosed that Malami has remained in its custody since December 8 following the conclusion of its investigations.
The case has continued to attract national attention as the court prepares to hear the bail application and proceed with trial in the coming weeks.
