A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, alongside his son and wife, in a high-profile N9 billion money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bail Conditions Set by Justice Emeka Nwite
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N500 million each. The former AGF is required to produce two sureties who will stand for him in the same amount.
The court imposed stringent conditions for the sureties. They must possess landed properties within the highbrow districts of Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarimpa in Abuja. The documents for these properties are to be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court. Furthermore, the sureties must depose to affidavits of means.
Stringent Travel Restrictions and Remand Order
As part of the bail terms, Abubakar Malami is ordered to surrender his travelling documents to the court. He is expressly forbidden from leaving the country without obtaining prior permission from the court. The former minister and his sureties were also directed to submit two recent passport photographs to the court's registry.
However, Malami has been ordered to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of all the bail conditions. This means he will remain in custody until his sureties meet the court's requirements and the necessary paperwork is completed.
Co-Defendants and Trial Date Fixed
The same bail terms were extended to Malami's co-defendants: his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, Hajia Asabe Bashir. The EFCC's case involves a 16-count charge alleging money laundering activities.
Justice Nwite has scheduled the commencement of the trial for February 17, 2026. The case is expected to draw significant public attention given the profile of the former chief law officer of the federation.
