Abubakar-Malami
Bolatito Mercy
A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his wife Asabe Bashir, and their son Abdulaziz Malami, in the sum of N200 million each, with two sureties in like sum. The trio is facing a 16-count charge of alleged money laundering involving about N9 billion.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Malami, his wife, and son on allegations of laundering public funds totaling about N9 billion. The EFCC claimed they used companies, including Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited and Meethaq Hotels Limited, to conceal the source and ownership of the funds.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who granted the bail, ordered that one of the sureties must deposit title documents of a property located in either Maitama or Asokoro districts of Abuja. The defendants are also required to surrender their international passports and remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service until they meet the bail conditions.
The court had initially granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500 million each, but this was later revised to N200 million each. The EFCC had not opposed the bail application, but urged the court to impose conditions that would guarantee the defendants’ availability for trial.
The prosecution’s first witness, David Ajoma, a compliance officer with Sterling Bank, testified that the bank provided documents to the EFCC regarding loan facilities granted to Rayhan Hotel Limited. Ajoma stated that Malami’s name did not appear on the loan application documents and that none of the transactions reviewed originated from government accounts or violated Central Bank of Nigeria regulations.
The EFCC alleged that Malami, who served as Justice Minister from 2015 to 2023, acquired properties in Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano using proceeds of crime. The defendants are also facing a separate five-count charge of terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.
The trial is expected to commence on March 16, 2026, when the court will hear evidence from the prosecution and the defense. The case has generated political reactions, with some alleging that the legal actions against Malami are politically motivated.
