Money Laundering Trial: Court Admits Ex-AGF Malami, Family to N1.5bn Bail

Money Laundering Trial: Court Admits Ex-AGF Malami, Family to N1.5bn Bail

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has granted bail totaling N1.5 billion to former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, in an ongoing money laundering trial instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a ruling on their bail applications, Justice Emeka Nwite admitted Malami and his son to bail in the sum of N1 billion each, while granting Hajia Asabe bail in N500 million, bringing the cumulative bail to N1.5 billion.

The court ordered that each defendant must produce two sureties in like sum, who must be owners of landed property in Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarinpa areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The sureties are also required to submit title documents for verification, provide two recent passport photographs, and depose to affidavits of means.

Justice Nwite further directed the defendants to surrender their international passports and warned that they must not travel outside Nigeria without prior court approval. He ordered that the defendants remain in custody until all bail conditions are fully perfected.

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The case was adjourned to February 17 for commencement of trial. Prior to the ruling, Malami and his son were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, while Hajia Asabe was held at the female section of the Suleja Correctional Centre.

The trio are facing a 16-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, filed by the EFCC, alleging conspiracy, concealment and retention of proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to about N8.7 billion, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022.

According to the anti-graft agency, Malami and his co-defendants allegedly used Rahamaniyya Properties Limited and other corporate entities to launder funds through property acquisitions across Abuja, including Maitama, Asokoro, Garki and Jabi.

While urging the court to deny bail, the EFCC, through its counsel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, argued that Malami’s international connections could enable him to flee the country and interfere with witnesses. However, the defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, maintained that the offences were bailable and sought liberal terms.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite rejected the EFCC’s objections, describing them as speculative and unsupported by evidence, and held that the interest of justice would be served by granting bail, noting that the Constitution presumes the defendants innocent until proven guilty.

Money Laundering Trial: Court Admits Ex-AGF Malami, Family to N1.5bn Bail