Malami to Stay in VIP Unit at Kuje Prison Amid EFCC Trial

Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (SAN), has been assigned to the Segregation Unit reserved for VIPs at Kuje Correctional Centre, Talk Nigeria News gathered.

The cell was reportedly refurbished by Abba Kyari, the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police and former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), who is currently facing charges related to drug trafficking, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice and has alleged links to convicted fraudster Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, aka Hushpuppi.

A prison source confirmed, “Malami will stay at the Segregation Unit reserved for VIPs at Kuje prison. He will stay in a cell refurbished by Abba Kyari.”

On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Malami alongside his fourth wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja. The trio faces a 16-count charge of conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing, and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to ₦8,713,923,759.49, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

At the start of proceedings, prosecuting counsel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, explained that the arraignment was to allow the defendants to take their pleas. Defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, raised no objection, and all three defendants pleaded not guilty.

According to EFCC filings, Malami and his son allegedly used corporate entities and bank accounts to conceal suspected proceeds of unlawful activities. Between July 2022 and June 2025, they reportedly used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to launder ₦1,014,848,500 through a Sterling Bank account. Additional charges allege that in September 2024, Malami conspired with his wife to disguise ₦1,049,173,926.13 through the Union Bank account of Meethaq Hotels Limited, Jabi, covering transactions from November 2022 to September 2024. The anti-graft agency further claims the duo indirectly controlled ₦1,362,887,872.96 via the same company’s Union Bank savings account between November 2022 and October 2025, allegedly knowing the funds were of unlawful origin.

Following the pleas, Iheanacho informed the court that the prosecution was ready for trial but noted that the defence had filed a bail application the previous day. Daudu requested bail orally, citing the bailable nature of the offences. The prosecution opposed the request, stressing that applications must be supported by affidavit evidence to allow proper consideration.

Justice Nwite ordered that Malami, his wife, and son remain in custody at Kuje Correctional Centre to allow adequate time for the prosecution to respond to the bail application. The court adjourned the matter to January 2, 2026, for the hearing of the bail request.