The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted bail to the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, who faces a money laundering charge alongside his son and one of his wives.
The defendants are accused of laundering public funds totaling approximately N9 billion. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted each of them bail in the sum of N200 million, with two sureties each of the same amount.
The ruling follows their re-arraignment on a 16-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court had previously remanded Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe in prison custody on February 27, after Justice Abdulmalik declined to adopt the bail conditions initially granted on January 7.
During Friday’s proceedings, defence counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN reminded the court of the earlier bail conditions granted by Justice Emeka Nwite, who initially presided over the case. EFCC’s counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, confirmed that the defendants had complied with those conditions but argued that the re-arraignment allowed the court discretionary power to reconsider bail.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that since the case had started afresh before her, previous proceedings had legally terminated, and she ordered a fresh bail application, which was subsequently granted.
As part of the bail conditions, the court mandated that one surety must present title documents for property in Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja, and the defendants must surrender their international passports and seek court permission before traveling abroad. Until these conditions are fulfilled, the defendants are to remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service. The trial was adjourned to March 16.
The EFCC alleged that Malami, who served as Justice Minister from November 11, 2015, to May 29, 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, used companies and real estate transactions to conceal proceeds of crime. Among the claims:
Between July 2022 and June 2025, Malami allegedly funneled over N1.01 billion through Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited into a Sterling Bank account.
Between September 2020 and February 2021, the same company was used to siphon approximately N600 million.
In March 2021, the defendants reportedly retained N600 million as cash collateral for a N500 million loan obtained by Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite knowing the funds were proceeds of crime.
The EFCC stated the defendants violated multiple provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. Investigators, bank officials, real estate agents, and Bureau de Change operators are expected to testify against them.
In addition to money laundering, Malami faces a five-count charge of terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms, filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) against him and his son. He was arrested and detained by the DSS but released after perfecting all bail conditions.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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