N8.7bn Fraud Trial: Judge Warns EFCC, Malami, Lawyers Against Private Contact

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has issued a strong caution in the ongoing N8.7 billion money laundering case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who is presiding over the matter, warned that no individual connected to the case should attempt to make personal contact with him outside the courtroom. The warning was delivered on Wednesday during proceedings relating to the bail applications filed by Mr Malami and his co-defendants.

The former AGF is being tried alongside his wife, Asabe Bashir, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, over allegations bordering on large-scale financial misconduct.

While addressing the court, Justice Nwite made his position on judicial conduct clear, stating that personal familiarity would not influence his decisions. He emphasized that any form of private approach to him concerning the case would not be tolerated.

According to the judge, the integrity of the judiciary must remain intact, stressing that the law would not be compromised under any circumstance. He further clarified that his calm demeanor during court sessions should not be mistaken for vulnerability or leniency.

Justice Nwite directed his remarks to all parties involved in the trial, including prosecutors from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), defence lawyers, and the defendants themselves. He urged them to understand the strict standards by which the court operates.

He cautioned that any attempt to undermine his reputation or influence the judicial process would be firmly resisted and appropriately addressed. The judge reiterated his warning multiple times, underscoring the seriousness of his message.

Mr Malami, who served as Nigeria’s Attorney-General from 2015 to 2023 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, is facing a 16-count charge. The charges relate to the alleged laundering of approximately N8.7 billion.

According to court documents filed by the EFCC, the defendants are accused of retaining proceeds believed to have been derived from unlawful activities. The allegations also include the acquisition of assets reportedly linked to funds of suspicious origin.

Following arguments on the bail application, the court granted bail to each of the defendants. The bail conditions require a sum of N500 million per defendant, along with two sureties of equal value.

Justice Nwite further ordered that the sureties must present verifiable properties located within Maitama or Gwarinpa areas of Abuja as part of the bail requirements.

The judge issued his stern warning immediately after delivering the bail ruling, restating that neither lawyers nor litigants should attempt to gain unauthorized access to the court.

He reminded all parties that courts differ in approach and temperament, noting that not every judge operates in the same manner. He advised that legal matters should be handled strictly through proper representation and due process.

On the same day, in a separate decision, Justice Nwite granted an interim forfeiture order requested by the EFCC. The order covers 57 properties suspected to be connected to the alleged unlawful transactions involving Mr Malami.

The forfeiture order followed an ex-parte application presented by EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and was approved by the court pending further proceedings.