A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami, his wife Asabe Bashir, and son Abdulaziz Malami be remanded in prison custody pending the determination of their bail applications.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik directed that Malami and Abdulaziz be held at Kuje Prison, Abuja, while Asabe Bashir be remanded at Suleja Prison, Niger State, which accommodates female inmates.
The remand followed their re-arraignment on 16-count money laundering charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, alleging that Malami laundered N8.7 billion through real estate transactions in Abuja and other states while serving as Minister of Justice. Corrections were made during the hearing to adjust two counts from billions to millions.
Malami and his son were also arraigned on five-count terrorism and illegal firearms charges filed by the Department of State Services, which allege that they refused to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers and unlawfully possessed a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm along with live and expended ammunition in their Kebbi residence.
In the DSS case, Malami and Abdulaziz were granted bail of N100 million each with two sureties, with one surety required to own a property in Maitama or Asokoro, deposit the property title with the Deputy Chief Registrar, submit an affidavit of means, and provide recent passport photographs. The defendants were also ordered to submit their international passports. The trial is set to begin on March 4, while bail applications for the EFCC case will be heard on March 6.
The charges accuse Malami and his family of abetting terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, violating the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Firearms Act 2004.
This high-profile development underscores Nigeria’s intensified efforts to tackle financial crimes, terrorism financing, and illegal possession of firearms, involving one of the country’s most prominent former public officials.
