Abubakar Malami: In a significant development in one of Nigeria’s most high-profile anti-corruption trials, the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, along with his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, have been granted combined bail of ₦1.5 billion by the Federal High Court, Abuja. The decision comes in the ongoing money laundering prosecution initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The ruling, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, imposed strict conditions on the defendants. Abubakar Malami was admitted to bail in the sum of ₦1 billion, while his wife, Hajia Asabe, was granted bail of ₦500 million. Each defendant is required to present two credible sureties owning landed property within the Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa districts of the Federal Capital Territory.
The court mandated the submission of property documents for verification, the surrender of passports, and for sureties to provide recent passport photographs alongside affidavits of means. Justice Nwite further directed that the defendants must not travel abroad without prior court approval. The ruling stipulates that the trio will remain in custody until all bail conditions are perfected. The trial has been adjourned to February 17, 2026.
The EFCC alleges that between 2020 and 2025, the Malami family engaged in a series of unlawful property and banking transactions, concealing public funds totaling approximately ₦9 billion. Court records indicate that Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited and Rahamaniyya Properties Limited were allegedly used to launder substantial sums of money through bank accounts and real estate dealings.
Specifically, the anti-graft agency claims the defendants transferred over ₦1.01 billion through a Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025 and diverted ₦600 million between September 2020 and February 2021. Additionally, it is alleged that ₦600 million was retained in March 2021 as collateral for a ₦500 million loan obtained by Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite the EFCC asserting the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.
The defendants face a 16-count charge under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. The EFCC has indicated that bank officials, law enforcement investigators, real estate agents, and bureau de change operators are expected to testify in the upcoming trial.
This case has drawn nationwide attention due to the profile of the accused and the magnitude of funds involved, and its outcome is expected to have far-reaching implications for anti-corruption enforcement in Nigeria.
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