Court Reserves Ruling on Bail for Ex-AGF Malami, Son as EFCC Opposes Application

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Wednesday to rule on the bail applications filed by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) urged the court to deny them bail.

Malami, who served as Justice Minister from November 2015 to May 29, 2023, is standing trial on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering, alongside his son and Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited. The EFCC alleged that the defendants laundered public funds amounting to about N9 billion through a network of companies and property acquisitions.

According to the anti-graft agency, Malami allegedly used several firms to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities by acquiring high-value properties in Abuja, Kebbi and Kano. The EFCC further accused the defendants of using Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal over N1.01 billion in a Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025, and siphoning about N600 million through the same company between September 2020 and February 2021.

The prosecution also alleged that the defendants retained N600 million as cash collateral for a N500 million loan obtained by Rayhaan Hotels Limited from Sterling Bank in March 2021, despite allegedly knowing the funds were proceeds of crime. Other allegations include the purchase of luxury properties in Maitama, Abuja, and multiple assets across Abuja, Kano and Kebbi using funds suspected to be of illicit origin.

At the resumed hearing on Friday, defence counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, argued that the offences were bailable and urged the court to grant his clients bail, assuring that they would be available for trial. He maintained that the defendants were prepared to defend themselves and clear their names.

However, EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, opposed the application, contending that the defendants posed a flight risk and that Malami, given his former position, could influence witnesses expected to testify, including investigators, bank officials, real estate agents and Bureau de Change operators.

After listening to arguments from both sides, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until Wednesday for a ruling on the bail applications. The court had earlier remanded the defendants in custody following their plea of not guilty to the charges.

Malami was detained by the EFCC on December 8, 2025, after honouring an invitation from the agency. He later alleged that an earlier administrative bail granted to him was arbitrarily revoked, insisting that his prosecution was politically motivated, a claim the EFCC has denied.