The former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), his wife, Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, who are standing trial in an alleged money laundering case will have to patiently return to jail and wait to Wednesday, January 7 to learn the ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja on their bail applications.
Justice Emeka Nwite announced the date on Friday after counsel to the defendants, Joseph Daudu (SAN), and counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), adopted their written addresses and presented oral arguments before the court.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, the EFCC named Malami, his wife, and son as first, second, and third defendants.
The Commission accused them of engaging in suspicious financial transactions and attempting to conceal the origins of billions of naira through bank accounts and property acquisitions in Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi States.
The alleged offences were said to have occurred between 2015 and 2025, covering the period Malami served as Attorney-General under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly conspired to disguise the source of funds, indirectly acquired property, and retained sums believed to be proceeds of unlawful activity.
The Commission argued that these acts contravened provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022.
Legal Arguments
During Friday’s proceedings, defence counsel Joseph Daudu urged the court to grant bail to the defendants, stressing that they had met all legal requirements and posed no flight risk.
He argued that bail was a constitutional right and that the defendants were prepared to stand trial.
On the other hand, EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho opposed the applications, insisting that the gravity of the allegations and the sums involved warranted caution.
He maintained that granting bail could jeopardise ongoing investigations and undermine the integrity of the trial.
Justice Nwite, after listening to both sides, reserved ruling until January 7, when the court will decide whether Malami, his wife, and son will be granted bail pending trial.
The case has attracted significant public attention, given Malami’s role as Nigeria’s chief law officer during the Buhari administration.
The ruling will set the tone for how the high-profile trial proceeds in the coming months.
EFCC, NCOS Officials Clash in Court
Meanwhile, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), on Friday, clashed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over the trial of former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
Apparently, the two agencies engaged themselves over who should be in charge of security during the trial of the former minister.
On December 30, the Court ordered his remand at the Kuje correvtional centre til January 2, when his bail application will be heard.
Both officials of the two agencies threatened to shoot themselves over who should take charge of security at the court’s entrance.
As at the time of this report, both EFCC and NCoS would now have to clear journalists before gaining access to the court.
They, however, stopped some journalists from gaining access into the courtroom, saying the courtroom was filled up.
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