A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Nigeria’s former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, in Kuje Correctional Centre following their arraignment on 16 counts of money laundering and conspiracy.
The charges, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, accuse the trio of concealing the origins of over 8 billion naira (approximately $5.5 million) allegedly derived from unlawful activities between 2015 and 2025.
The commission alleges they used corporate accounts and property acquisitions to disguise the funds. Properties listed in the charges include a luxury duplex in Maitama, hotels in Jabi, plots in Gwarimpa and Asokoro, a mall, and a university, located in Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi states.
All defendants pleaded not guilty before Justice Emeka Nwite on Tuesday. Following the plea, defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), made an oral application for bail. The EFCC prosecution opposed it, arguing it needed time to formally respond to a written bail application already filed by the defence.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite declined the oral bail request, stating that granting it without a prosecution response would constitute an “ambush” and breach the prosecution’s right to fair hearing.
He emphasised that the interest of justice required allowing the EFCC to file its response.
Consequently, the judge ordered the defendants remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the bail hearing until Friday, January 2, 2026, meaning they will spend New Year’s Day in custody.
The arraignment concludes a period of pre-trial detention for Malami, who has been in EFCC custody since December 8.
A previous bail order from an FCT High Court on December 23 became a subject of dispute, with Malami claiming to have met the conditions and the EFCC contending he had not.
The EFCC alleges the offences violate the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 and 2022.
The period of the alleged crimes, 2015 to 2025, covers Malami’s tenure as the nation’s top law officer from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
