Abuja, January 7, 2026 – Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday granted bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), his wife Hajia Asabe Bashir, and his son Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, in a high-profile money laundering case involving allegations of over N8.7 billion in illicit funds.
The court set bail at N500 million for each defendant, totaling N1.5 billion for the three. This followed their arraignment on December 30, 2025, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 16 counts of money laundering and unlawful acquisition of assets.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite mandated that each defendant provide two sureties in the sum of N500 million, who must own landed properties in premium districts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)—specifically Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa. The sureties are required to submit title documents of these properties for court verification, along with two recent passport photographs and an affidavit of means.
Additionally, the defendants must surrender their international passports to the court registry and are prohibited from traveling outside Nigeria without prior permission from the court. Justice Nwite ordered that they remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of these bail conditions. The case has been adjourned to February 17, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The charges stem from allegations that Malami, who served as AGF from November 2015 to May 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, conspired with his family members to launder proceeds of unlawful activities. The EFCC claims the funds were siphoned from public resources during his tenure and concealed through property acquisitions and other transactions.
Specifically, the third defendant, Hajia Asabe Bashir (also referred to in some reports as an employee or associate linked to Rahamaniyya Properties Limited), is accused of aiding in disguising the origin of the funds through real estate deals. Other counts involve the retention of alleged illicit sums and indirect acquisitions exceeding legitimate income.
Malami and his co-defendants pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on December 30, 2025. The former minister had been in EFCC custody from early December 2025 before being remanded in prison pending the bail ruling.
During Wednesday's proceedings, Justice Nwite reportedly raised concerns about attempts to interfere with the case, warning of severe consequences for any such actions. This underscored the sensitivity of the trial involving a former top government official.
The case marks a significant development in Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts, as Malami was once the country's chief law officer responsible for advising on legal matters and overseeing prosecutions, including those handled by the EFCC. Critics have noted the irony, while supporters argue the charges are politically motivated—a claim Malami's legal team is expected to pursue during trial.
The EFCC's investigation reportedly uncovered transactions involving companies allegedly linked to the defendants, including deposits and property purchases that prosecutors say could not be justified by known legitimate earnings. Details of the 16-count charge sheet highlight specific sums, such as over N1 billion allegedly concealed through a company account.
Legal experts have described the bail conditions as stringent, reflecting the gravity of the allegations and the flight risk perceived by the court given the defendants' access to resources. The requirement for properties in high-end FCT districts ensures the sureties are persons of substantial means, while passport surrender limits international travel.
As the trial date approaches, public interest remains high. Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from Kebbi State, has been a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and law for decades. His tenure as AGF was marked by controversial decisions on high-profile cases, including asset recoveries and prosecutions of politically exposed persons.
The outcome of this case could have broader implications for accountability in public office, especially for former officials in sensitive positions. The EFCC, under its current leadership, has intensified probes into past administrations, leading to several arraignments of ex-officials.
In related developments, some reports indicate clashes between EFCC operatives and prison officials during earlier court appearances over custody protocols, highlighting the tensions surrounding the case.
The defendants' legal teams have expressed confidence in proving their innocence, with arguments centered on the legitimacy of the acquired assets and lack of direct evidence linking them to unlawful proceeds.
As Nigeria grapples with economic challenges and calls for stronger anti-graft measures, this trial will be closely watched by stakeholders, including civil society groups advocating for transparency.
The Federal High Court has maintained that the proceedings will be fair and in accordance with the law, with Justice Nwite emphasizing judicial independence amid reported interference concerns.
Trial is set to begin on February 17, 2026, where prosecutors will present evidence, and the defense will have the opportunity to challenge the charges.
