The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the remand of the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, in the Kuje Correctional Facility. Justice Emeka Nwite issued the directive on Tuesday following the arraignment of the former minister. His son, Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Bashir Asabe, were also remanded alongside him.
During the proceedings, the defense counsel attempted to move an oral application for the bail of the defendants. However, Justice Nwite firmly rejected the move, describing it as an “ambush” on the court. The judge noted that since a written bail application had already been filed, the legal team must follow the proper procedure for it to be heard.
Consequently, the court adjourned the matter until January 2, 2026, to hear the formal bail application. Until then, the former Justice Minister and his co-defendants will remain in custody. This ruling followed their “not guilty” plea to a sixteen-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charges detail a massive alleged money laundering scheme involving over N8.7 billion. The prosecution accused Malami and the others of conspiring to disguise and retain funds derived from illegal activities. These alleged offences reportedly took place between 2015 and 2025, covering the period Malami served as the AGF.
The EFCC’s charge sheet highlights specific transactions involving a company named Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited. The agency alleged that the defendants used this corporate entity to hide N1.014 billion in a Sterling Bank account. Additionally, another sum of N600 million was reportedly deposited into the same account between late 2020 and early 2021.
Furthermore, the anti-graft agency listed several luxury properties allegedly purchased with the proceeds of crime. These include a duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, valued at N500 million, and a N700 million property in Garki. Other assets mentioned include a N850 million property in Jabi and real estate in Asokoro worth over N500 million combined.
The prosecution claims that Malami utilized proxies and corporate fronts to mask his ownership of these assets. Hajia Bashir Asabe, identified as an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, is accused of facilitating these property deals. The EFCC has lined up witnesses, including bank officials and investigators, to substantiate the allegations in court.
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