A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has approved bail for former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his wife Asabe Bashir, and their son Abdulaziz Malami in an ongoing trial involving alleged financial crimes.
The court, presided over by Joyce Abdulmalik, granted each of the three defendants bail set at N200 million with two sureties who must provide the same amount.
Justice Abdulmalik also ruled that one of the sureties must present documents proving ownership of property located in either Maitama or Asokoro, two high-value residential districts in the Federal Capital Territory.
In addition, the defendants were instructed to surrender their international passports to the court as part of the bail requirements.
The court further ordered that the trio remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service until all bail conditions are fully satisfied.
The case was adjourned to March 16, 2026, when the court is expected to begin full trial proceedings.
The prosecution alleges that Malami, alongside members of his family, was involved in laundering approximately N8.7 billion through a network of corporate entities and property investments.
Investigators claim the funds were allegedly moved through companies including Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited and Meethaq Hotels Limited before being used to acquire several high-value properties.
According to the allegations presented before the court, the properties were reportedly purchased in different locations including Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi State.
In a separate criminal case, Malami and his son are also facing charges related to alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
Prosecutors claim that during his time as Attorney General, Malami allegedly failed to act on case files relating to suspected terrorism financiers that were submitted to his office in November 2022.
The case also includes accusations that a Sturm Magnum firearm and several rounds of ammunition were found at their residence in Birnin Kebbi in December 2025.
The prosecution of the matter was recently taken over by the office of the current Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, from the State Security Service.
Earlier, a Federal High Court also ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly connected to Malami, which authorities estimate to be worth about N213 billion.
The case has also drawn political attention following Malami’s recent defection to the African Democratic Congress after leaving the All Progressives Congress.
Supporters of the former minister have claimed the legal proceedings may be politically motivated, though authorities have maintained that the prosecution is based strictly on evidence gathered during investigations.
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