Court Grants Malami, Son, Wife ₦1.5bn Bail in Alleged ₦9bn Money Laundering Case

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), in connection with an alleged ₦9 billion money laundering case instituted by the Federal Government.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, who admitted Malami to bail in the sum of ₦500 million, pending the commencement of his trial. As part of the bail conditions, the former justice minister is required to present two sureties, each standing for him in the same financial amount.

Justice Nwite specifically ruled that the sureties must be property owners within Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarimpa, all located within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The court further directed that all property documents submitted by the sureties must undergo verification by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court. In addition, the sureties are mandated to submit sworn affidavits of means to confirm their financial capacity.

The court also placed strict travel restrictions on Malami. He is required to submit all international travel documents, including his passport, to the court registry and must not leave the country without explicit judicial approval.

Furthermore, both Malami and his sureties were ordered to submit two recent passport photographs each. Prior to meeting the bail requirements, the former Attorney General had been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Facility.

Justice Nwite extended the same bail conditions to Malami’s son, Abdulaziz Malami, his wife, and Hajia Asabe Bashir, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, all of whom are standing trial alongside him.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a 16-count charge against Malami, his son, and his wife, bordering on alleged money laundering offences amounting to ₦9 billion.

During the proceedings, the presiding judge issued a stern warning to legal practitioners and litigants involved in the case. He cautioned them against attempting to influence the court or seeking personal favours, emphasizing that judicial independence would be strictly upheld.

In a statement released after the court session, the EFCC disclosed that Justice Nwite made it clear that any display of leniency by the court should not be misinterpreted as weakness. He stressed that the rule of law would be applied firmly without compromise.

Justice Nwite later scheduled February 17 as the date for the commencement of the trial.

Addressing members of the bar and parties to the case, the judge emphasized that professionalism must guide all court interactions. He stated that lawyers best serve their clients by offering competent legal representation rather than attempting inappropriate engagements with the court.

According to him, any effort to undermine his integrity or cast aspersions on his judicial role would be strongly resisted.