Abuja, Nigeria – On December 30, 2025, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the remand of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and associate Hajia Bashir Asabe at the Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the hearing of their bail applications scheduled for January 2, 2026. The decision followed their arraignment on a 16-count charge of alleged money laundering involving over N8.7 billion.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought the defendants before Justice Emeka Nwite on charges marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, accusing them of conspiracy, concealment, disguise, and retention of proceeds from unlawful activities between 2015 and 2025—a period encompassing Malami's eight-year tenure under former President Muhammadu Buhari. The alleged offences contravene sections of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and earlier amendments.
Prosecution counsel Ekele Iheanacho (SAN) requested that the charges be read, to which defence lead Joseph B. Daudu (SAN) raised no objection. All three defendants pleaded not guilty.
Key counts highlight specific transactions. Count one alleges that Malami and his son, between July 2022 and June 2025, procured Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal N1,014,848,500 in a Sterling Bank account, knowing it constituted proceeds of unlawful activity. Count five accuses the trio of conspiring in September 2024 to disguise N1,049,173,926.13 transferred through Meethaq Hotels Limited's Union Bank account between November 2022 and September 2024. Count six claims Malami and his son indirectly controlled N1,362,887,872.96 via the same account from November 2022 to October 2025.
Other counts involve property acquisitions, including a luxury duplex in Maitama, Abuja, purchased with allegedly disguised funds of N500 million in November 2022, and additional hotels and assets in Abuja districts like Jabi and Garki. The EFCC alleges the use of corporate entities such as Rahamaniyya Properties Limited—where Asabe is an employee—and proxies to obscure beneficial ownership.
Following the pleas, Iheanacho indicated readiness for trial but sought time to respond to written bail applications served by the defence the previous day. Daudu applied orally for bail, arguing the offences are bailable and citing precedents like Abiola v. Federal Republic of Nigeria, while emphasizing Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act permitting oral applications.
Iheanacho opposed, contending oral bail would ambush the prosecution and require affidavit evidence in a court of record. He underscored the case's gravity, involving complex financial networks and public interest, noting Malami's former high office does not warrant preferential treatment.
Justice Nwite ruled in favour of allowing the prosecution adequate response time, declining the oral application. "The prosecution must be allowed adequate opportunity to respond," the judge stated, remanding the defendants in Kuje and adjourning for bail hearing.
Malami, detained by the EFCC since early December after failing administrative bail conditions, appeared in court from custody. The investigation reportedly stems from petitions and intelligence on suspicious transactions, including potential links to recovered assets and property deals in Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi.
The case has drawn significant attention, marking a high-profile prosecution of a former chief law officer. Witnesses lined up include EFCC investigators, bank officials, and bureau de change operators. Malami has previously denied wrongdoing, describing earlier probes as baseless.
This arraignment underscores the EFCC's ongoing efforts against high-level corruption, with the agency vowing thorough prosecution. As proceedings resume in the new year, the outcome could have broader implications for accountability in public office.
The charges aggregate to approximately N8,713,923,759.49 in laundered funds, alongside illicit property acquisitions. Defendants maintain their innocence, setting the stage for a contested trial.
